3 Go Global

Brisbane, Noosa 001

Originally uploaded by roupiesontour

We spent a few days in Brisbane just sorting things out. The city is not very exciting but the public transport deserves a mention. The buses have their own lanes, completely segregated from the normal roads into the city, it must have cost a fortune but the journey is very quick. You do feel rather Royal speeding down your own lane. There also seem to be lots of private schools as the school uniforms are out of the 1930’s. Even O can’t believe that all the girls have to wear the same flat boy’s lace up shoes and wide brimmed hats with ribbons on. The holiday park is a welcome sideline and the Inca pool allows Josh to sit under the waterfalls and pretend he is Buddha, well for the 5 seconds that he can keep still of course. The park also seems to have some permanent residents, some who like to always wear a cone shaped sheepskin hat even in the fearsome heat but they seemed pleasant enough. I made sure we all went to the loos together though…………

The final leg of our journey is now sorted. The staff at the Qantas travel centre were incredibly helpful and bless the woman who thought we were all brothers and sisters travelling together. How I like to kid myself that it is I who look young, not that the kids look old!

We actually ventured to the cinema and took in Sweeney Todd which was quite good and Timothy Spall plays the greaseball so well, what a long way from those days in Auf Weidersen Pet! The weather realy can’t decide what it wants to do. One minute it is so hot and the next rain that is nice as it brings the temperature down but not so nice at night in a leaky camper……………

It was also my Dad’s birthday and although we missed him on the phone as he was out playing golf, O was inspired with her choice of present for him. It took us 2 weeks to find it but it is now on it’s merry way to him. I won’t spoil the surprise just yet! It’s at those times of friends and families birthdays that your thoughts return to home and what it will be like when you return. I don’t for one minute imagine it’s going to be easy for me or the kids and I wonder how much our little journey has changed us all. I feel calmer in myself and know that I can cope in a variety of situations. The kids have grown beyond measure and I know their way of thinking has been altered by the questions they are now asking – much more open minded and able to see another viewpoint without being prompted. I wonder what memories they will still have of the trip in say 10 years time?

Gold Coast 032

Originally uploaded by roupiesontour

Time zones can be a real pain. We had decided that we would get up early for our little excursion today and managed to arrive early. Well I say early, it was even earlier when we realised that the time zones had also changed once we had crossed the border. Where did we go today? Well if I say if we helped Batman fly his Batjet and save Gotham city, made sure Scooby Doo escaped from evil goblins and banged heads with the Lethal Weapon team? Yep we went to Warner Brothers Movie World for the day. I actually got to meet Austin Powers, Wonder Woman, Flash Gordon, Willy Wonka and Batman himself. I had loads of photos taken but the kids were far too cool for this, I was besides myself when Batman appeared!

It was hot hot hot all day – people were riding the water ride just to cool off. It was not too busy either but we were annoyed that the main Superman rollercoaster was shut – it looked great. O and I rode the Lethal Weapon rollercoaster and it was quite bumpy on the old head, we went upside down 5 times so I looked a bit battered by the time I came off. We watched the Police Academy stunt show, saw the brilliant Shrek in 4d show and sat on the main street eating ice cream for the parade. It lasted all of 10 minutes! It was great to have some thrills and we had fun on the Scooby Spookycoaster screaming as loud as we could for no reason but to spook the queue. Little things……………

 

View 2 mins from Celebrity propertyOriginally uploaded by roupiesontour

Another glorious day but I am sad we have to leave here today. During the rain we catch up listening to podcasts, usually Jonathan Ross and Chris Moyles and they were talking about “I’m A Celebrity”. After looking it up on a map we found out that the filming happens about 40kms from here so we thought in a drive into the bush would be fun.

We stopped off at the local tourist office in Tweedshire (!) to make sure we had the right town. The guy there was really great and we also found out that the area was in an extinct volcanic caldera. He showed us some thunder eggs – cool geologist things and O was impressed by the psychedelic painted VW campervan mounted in the wall. You learn so much if you just stop and talk.

Dungay is tiny and much more farmland than “bush”. We made it up to the edge of the property and saw what must have been buildings for the crew etc but it was interesting to see it for real compared to the impression you get on TV. Despite being a bit more urban than portrayed it is a beautiful area. They must have jumped out of the plane miles away though………..

As soon as you get over the border into Queensland the scenery changes and not for the better. The beaches on the Gold Coast are famous but I cannot believe the high rises, hotels and change from earlier. No wonder people from NSW do not Queenslanders coming into their region. We drive through Surfer’s Paradise quickly as it really is just a bunch of high rises. The beach does look great and goes on for miles but not enough to make us stay. We settle in Southport a bit further north and enjoy the swimming pool in the heat.

Byron Bay 043

Originally uploaded by roupiesontour

OMG we wake up to blue skies and the strangest sounding horn. The milk van comes round the holiday park to sell it’s wares and the mechanical horn tries to sound like a cow moo but kind of fails so you get this alien sounding horn which is a bit bewildering until you have worked out what it is. As soon as we were dressed it was off for a walk into town. It feels so good to have the sun on your skin again and it feels like everyone else is out too. Byron Bay is a small town and a collection of beaches. The town has it’s own unique vibe with a mixture of surfer, new age and art shops. It’s quirky and I really like it. We spend a small fortune on tee shirts from Dr Moose and also pick up some beautiful small photos of the bays when the sun is shining. Shop owners are especially friendly today (probably eager for us to part with our dosh after the long wet spell) and are eager to give us advice on the best spots. I love the way when you say you are from the UK you always get tales of their own travel experiences and the assumption that you know every town in your own country. I really must sort out some exploring of my own back yard when we return.

The weather is holding up so we walk back along the golden sands of the beach. The sand around the east coast of Australia was exported to make the mud flats of Waikiki more appealing – I love the feel of walking barefoot. Everyone seems to be out and there is still lots of room on the neverending sands. Surfers share the water with swimmers, paddlers and body boarders and the sunbathers range in age from 1 to 80+.

My camera is restless in my bag so we all bundle into the van and make the trip up to the lighthouse. We pass many people who make the trip by bike and on foot – most are huffing and red faced when we drive by – air conditioning on full, Josh even waves! The clouds are starting to gather but they are not considerate enough to get into shot just behind the lighthouse for my camera so my masterpiece will have to wait. The views are amazing and Australia stretches North as far as the eye can see, curving in and out of bays. We also walk past the sign, easternmost point of Australia, but it is covered in Japanese tourists so not much pf a photo opp. We did see a great tee shirt this morning – Save The Whales – Kill The Japanese Instead, since then we have seen 2 people wearing it. Whaling is incredibly unpopular here and is all over the news as are the horrific photos of the catches.

By the time we get back and sorted the weather has turned so we sit nice and snug in the campervan during a massive thunderstorm. The windows have started to leak a bit so we get to play “Raindrops Keep Falling On Whose Head First?” O wonders if the lightning strikes the beach if those glass sculptures will be created. Must remember to look.

The storm passes and although it rains a little there is a huge rainbow and one of the most beautiful sunsets. The light has an eerie quality to it and the skies are full of beautiful oranges and reds. I go down to watch the sunset on the beach and again remember how lucky I am to be here.

Byron Bay 007

Originally uploaded by roupiesontour

Thursday Plantation was the original tea tree plantation. The story of the founders who basically lived in the bush (wetlands) for years with no running water, electricity to bring tea tree back is amazing. Tea tree is well known again now and was widely used in by Australians in the second world war but afterwards forgotten. You really have to be a bit obsessional to bring something like that back when it took so many hard years. The place is very cool and has a tea tree maze and sculptures in the gardens. I think I became a murderess as we saw a frog with a squashed head on the road and I didn’t notice it on the drive in………………

The view as you descend into Byron Bay is beautiful, we stopped off at the Pat Moran lookout and you can see the bays go round in the distance below you. I always fancied coming here but was not quite sure what to expect – apart from rain. We stayed at the Clarke’s Beach Holiday park which funnily enough is right on the beach. The park is busy and we just squeeze into the last spot and then it is right down to the beach to see what is what. It is raining a little but I fancy a walk and the beach does not disappoint. The bay curves away and it look like you could walk the pale coloured sand for miles. The waves come in from far away and break for ages before they reach the shore. One minute you can be walking with a good distance between you and the water and the next you are up to your knees in water which has swooshed in from nowhere. I walk along to the end of the bay where there are some rocks which are just crying out for exploring and am rewarded by an amazing view and sound show as the waves pound the rocks below.

So picture it – there I am – raincoat and shorts standing on a rock on another beautiful beach looking out to sea. My hair is so frizzed I am well on my way to an 80’s Brian May perm and I just can’t get over the fact that I am here – in Australia. I feel like the French Lieutenant’s woman as I am being battered by the elements, all I need is a cape. I still can’t really believe that I am here and feel a little surprised as to how I came to get here. As I look out to the sea I wonder what I am looking for, does anyone else do that and scan the horizon for something like some huge squid or ship is suddenly going to appear??

I get back to the campervan and the kids are arguing over something stupid so I start to sing “Oh I do like to be beside the seaside” to try and divert them but no luck. Hmmm what’s worse – the rain outside or being stuck inside in a campervan with 2 niggling teenagers – it’s a close one. I pray for some sun tomorrow………………

Port Stephens 035

Originally uploaded by roupiesontour

Will the rain ever stop? It rained all last night again and on the news this morning a teenager who had been body surfing was swept away by the flash floods at Coffs Harbour – where we were staying. The drive up to Broken Head was more like aqua planning than driving. The scenery is already changing from the traditional forest like paper bark trees to palm trees and more exotic sounding crickets. We didn’t do much sight seeing today just stayed dry in the van. We did get to drive by the infamous Big Banana of Coffs Harbour and also saw some beautiful beaches with surfers still out – they seem to surf whatever the weather.

We treated ourselves to lunch at The Big Prawn in Ballina and saw some of the Superbowl on tele. It seems strange to see it in the daylight but I suppose the USA is nearly a full day behind us here.

Amazingly after our arrival at the park it stopped raining so it was out quickly to enjoy the surroundings. We are just south of Byron bay and the beach here is stunning – one of the best I have ever had the pleasure to walk on. Was this due to the fact that we had been stuck inside because of the rain – probably. The waves seemed to go out in the bay forever but they took you by surprise when they came in, the force of the water pulling you back was scary and both O and I got soaked but it was so nice that it was the sea and not rain.

The park has some entertaining guests – wild turkeys. They come right up to the steps of the van and look a bit scary but quite as bad as the mention of carpet pythons which was in the park’s welcoming leaflet. God what am I going to be like in the bush, I can’t even walk to the toilets without being on full alert and jumping every time I see a leaf move.

Coffs Harbour 010

Originally uploaded by roupiesontour

Rain again – all day. We ventured out in the morning to the local Sunday markets and shopping centres along with the rest of the town. Homemade soap shaped like cheesecakes seems to be very popular here but as a member of the shower gel generation I had to very politely pass. The Clog Barn looked inviting but turned out to be a very expensive tourist trap and as much as we would have liked the clogs would have taken up too much room in the backpack.

It feels such a shame to be here so near and yet so far as it is raining so much you can hardly venture out, British willing spirit or not. We spent the rest of the day catching up on diaries, homework, laundry and watched Edward Scissorhands again. I hope the sun comes out tomorrow………………..

February 4th – Broken Head

Will the rain ever stop? It rained all last night again and on the news this morning a teenager who had been body surfing was swept away by the flash floods at Coffs Harbour – where we were staying. The drive up to Broken Head was more like aqua planning than driving. The scenery is already changing from the traditional forest like paper bark trees to palm trees and more exotic sounding crickets. We didn’t do much sight seeing today just stayed dry in the van. We did get to drive by the infamous Big Banana of Coffs Harbour and also saw some beautiful beaches with surfers still out – they seem to surf whatever the weather.

We treated ourselves to lunch at The Big Prawn in Ballina and saw some of the Superbowl on tele. It seems strange to see it in the daylight but I suppose the USA is nearly a full day behind us here.

Amazingly after our arrival at the park it stopped raining so it was out quickly to enjoy the surroundings. We are just south of Byron bay and the beach here is stunning – one of the best I have ever had the pleasure to walk on. Was this due to the fact that we had been stuck inside because of the rain – probably. The waves seemed to go out in the bay forever but they took you by surprise when they came in, the force of the water pulling you back was scary and both O and I got soaked but it was so nice that it was the sea and not rain.

The park has some entertaining guests – wild turkeys. They come right up to the steps of the van and look a bit scary but quite as bad as the mention of carpet pythons which was in the park’s welcoming leaflet. God what am I going to be like in the bush, I can’t even walk to the toilets without being on full alert and jumping every time I see a leaf move.

Port Stephens 051

Originally uploaded by roupiesontour

Josh had a bad headache this morning – it almost seemed like a migraine to me but a Nurofen sorted him out pretty quickly. He was well enough to come and see the koalas at The Koala Hospital though. I thought it might be a bit upsetting but actually it was great. Set in beautiful grounds on a reserve near the historic Roto House in Port Macquaire the koalas are brought in after accidents that can be anything from fire, car accidents, falls to conjunctivitis and dog attack. There are story boards near the entrance which are heart breaking but you also get to see the koalas being treated and getting ready for return to the wild in outdoor enclosures. You have to use your eyes well to spot them but we were lucky in that about half were awake so we could watch them eating and watch us with amusement. Some are permanent residents that are blind and unable to fend for themselves. The hospital even had a white koala a while back that made the press worldwide – Mick has been released back into the wild – to a secret location. We are so enamoured with these cute creatures that we adopted Parkwood Lili who has also been released back into the wild and will get the usual updates about her on our return, a little gift that keeps on giving after we get back.

The rain started in the afternoon and made the drive a bit of a challenge. I don’t know why but it feels harder driving northwards than it has driving west in the USA and south in NZ, it must be in my mind. We stopped off for a picnic lunch in the van and had to giggle at all the others who had to run to the covered picnic tables and get soaked, how superior we feel!!!

Port Stephens 043

Originally uploaded by roupiesontour

I will try to describe the scenery here. The roads are either highway (2 lanes and in appalling condition compared to NZ) or tourist routes. Many roads seem to go through forests with the picturesque paper bark trees (the ones that have peeling bark and reveal light smooth wood underneath). The roads are busier and you get many caravans here but they are easy to drive. The best bits are the strange road signs – Kangaroos, Koalas, Ducks or Horses for the next 10km, Beware cyclists and pedestrians and my fave Refuge Island which is the little cement thing in the middle of the road for when people cross.

The rain also gave us some laughs. The picture of the day saw some lorikeets (small red and green parrots) hanging upside down on the wire of a telegraph pole, wings outstretched washing themselves in the rain. They would then swing up, pause and do it all over again – it was so funny to watch. One of the saddest sights this trip though was a dead koala on the side of the road. A bird was picking at it so I knew it was dead but it’s one of those images you want to go away but you know is now permanently ingrained. Both Josh and I saw it but thankfully O remains blissfully unaware.

The holiday park is right on the seafront by a long cement walk. The path has been edged with huge stones which the public have taken upon themselves to paint. They look really cool and every one seems to have a story. Some are dedicated to lost loved ones, some for round the world trips and some just personalised like my fave which just said “Kieran’s Stone” and had a picture of a dinosaur on it. I wonder if my Godson has secretly been here before?

Everyone seems to be soooo brown. O has also noticed and a daily layer of mosturiser/fake tan is starting to go on as apparently her legs are “really dry”. She only puts it on ¾ of her leg so the next day she parades around insisting that we all look at her “tan”. The fact that it has been raining does not seem to stop her going on about the tan!

Port Stephens 024

Originally uploaded by roupiesontour

The sun beat down hard from early on so there was only one thing for it – a trip on the sea. By the time we had parked and found out about the dolphin watching trips we had 5 mins to get ourselves to the harbour so it was a quick dash. The boat was about half full with a mixture of Japanese, Australian and Brits. There is a permanent colony of bottle nosed dolphins in the estuary and we saw many pods. A few even swam along with us at the front of the boat for a while. I always enjoy seeing dolphins as they seem to be having fun but these dolphins were not a patch on the ones we saw in NZ, we had more fun watching the Japanese tourists get rather over excited every time they saw a fin. Our highlight was seeing a hammer head shark – we were just looking over the front of the boat and it was right there briefly near the surface. Let’s just say we were not that far from shore.

The boat also had a “boom net” like a large fishing net out the back that sits just in the water and you can go and sit in as the boat moves. I could not be persuaded after seeing the shark but it looked like a lot of fun.

The scenery of the afternoon was a bit different. The Tiligerry reserve at Lemon Tree Passage gives guided koala walks so you can spot them in the wild. This is koala country so the opportunity was too good to miss – even if it was about 35 degrees. Our guide, Brian was a retired volunteer and was wonderful. We learned so much about the trees and fauna of the reserve and the koalas themselves. A male koala needs about 100 trees for his territory so with modern housing destroying a lot of his habitat there are less and less spaces for them to thrive. We saw 2 close together which was amazing, apparently it is only the males who are territorial – females can live anywhere. We got to throw boomerangs too – Josh got it straight away whereas O and I were absolute pants. Something to work on, but I already have visions of them both sabotaging each other with a quick flick and evil grin. We spent over 2 hours wandering along the path that also took us near the beach and into the bush. I was eaten alive by mosquitoes on those small bits of flesh that were visible but we learnt which leaves to use to get rid of the sting too.

Our return to the community centre interrupted a French lesson with Brian’s wife so it was nice to have a go conversing in French for a while. The centre is a hay stack building which is the hub of the retired community and really friendly. A meditation session was about to begin when we were leaving – or more fitting “medication” session as Brian said. If anyone gets a chance to go here, do the walk and ask for Brian, you’ll be in for a treat.

To top off a great day the holiday park was right by the estuary – sea/river front location and with a boarded koala walk. O and I went for a “hike” but we didn’t see any. A storm loomed in the distance so our quick return was to the sound of thunder in the distance and some spectacular lightning displays. We were followed all the way by a Kookaburra though and a Heron was wondering around when we got back to the van. I am still astounded by the variety of wildlife here and as suburbia encroaches on precious land I only hope the casualties are few.