The kids all love this shiny coat, And the smell of honey on his nose.

Okay. No more cheat posts. I have a mountain of stories to share. I'm rather intimidated by it, but Scotty and Brian are off in one of the other buildings playing a movie trivia game and it's still only 10:30 (a true night owl never beds before midnight). Time to chip away.

Two moments about our second week in Australia stick out to me: our Christmas Eve in Bargara and a rather chilly night in the car up in the Blue Mountains.

HOSTEL CHRISTMAS ITINERARY AT THE BACKPACKERS WE STAYED AT THE FIRST NIGHT IN AUSTRALIA. PANKCAKES AND CHAMPAGNE? THE WAY TO THIS GIRL'S HEART.

We picked up our Suzuki Swift (a cherry red one. yay. I had my fingers crossed for a Christmas-coloured car) late afternoon at the Brisbane airport and set out for a 5 hour drive up North. We grabbed drive thru dinner at Hungry Jacks (Burger King's Australian twin- love the veggie burgers!). I stared at the landscape as it faded from city to lush green pastures. The sun turned the sky pink while we listened to Christmas songs, and when the sky turned black- I swooned at the Christmas light displays (the sun sets much earlier in Australia, so more people put up Christmas lights than in Dunedin where the sun sets around 10 pm in December). As we breezed along the highway, I caught glimpses of families crowded into living rooms, spilling onto decks/patios, and parties being hosted at little cafes.

"I RUV YOU. ROTS"

THE MAGIC OF TRAVELLING AT NIGHT: YOU HAVE TO WAIT TIL THE NEXT MORNING TO SEE YOUR SURROUNDINGS. SERIOUSLY LOVE THAT.

11 pm. McDonalds in Bundaberg: A crowd of young girls in cocktail dresses breezed past us as Scotty sent out well wishes to friends on the free WIFI and I put the final touches on our road-trip itinerary (courtesy of the Lonely Planet guidebook we picked up from the Dunedin Library- points for being thrifty). Sitting out on the patio, listening to the crickets (they are LOUD in Australia- very jungle), seeing these pretty young girls in their colourful Christmas dresses, and feeling the warm, humid air breeze over the skin... I couldn't help but smile.

I was caught up in a dream. We had lost light hours before. We had no clue what our surroundings looked like. Being in this strange land, so far from all our loved-ones with "Thistle-hair" (a Werdal-family Christmas classic- you have no clue how good it is) playing in my head- I could feel the moment being burned into my memory- something our much older selves will look back on with twinkles in our eyes.

We drove another 30 mins to Bargara and settled into a neighbourhood park for the night.

Yes- we slept in our car... our small Suzuki Swift... for a week. Our feet and ankles swelled like sausages because the blood pooled in our non-hortizontal legs.

"MA IN HER KERCHIEF AND I IN MY CAP, HAD JUST SETTLED IN FOR A LONG SUMMER'S NAP"

The stars were beyond anything I have seen. Being so far away from city lights (and seeing southern constellations... Orion is upside down and we've gotten good at spotting the Southern Cross)- the sky was bursting with stunners.

IT DOESN'T EVEN DO IT JUSTICE. THE MILKY WAY WAS SO WHITE. 

"Merry Christmas" I groggily said to Scotty. 7:30 am. Way too hot to continue sleeping in the car. Instead of opening presents- our surprise came with the rising sun, exposing our surroundings. We stumbled down to the beach and were greeted by waves crashing onto deep orange sand.



What a blessing.

THE BEACH WE WOKE UP ON

I SAVED MY BIRTHDAY DRESS FOR CHRISTMAS DAY.

After we spat our toothpaste in the bush, we headed to Mon Repos Conservation Park- a sea turtle rookery. We knew that a turtle sighting during the day would be slim. Tours are offered at night, but not on Christmas Day. We walked the length of beach and spotted the turtle nests, our eyes peeled of any signs of baby turtles. Instead, we found five eggs that had been washed out by the surf (rogue waves even caught us by surprise coming up much higher than the rest). I don't know if the babies inside them still had a chance, but I like to think that they did- we reburried them in one of the higher nests, and I said a little prayer as I walked away.

MON REPOS. THE SAND WAS ORANGE.

TURTLE EGGS. THE FIRST ONE WE FOUND WE THOUGHT WAS A WATER-LOGGED PING-PONG BALL. THE SHELLS ARE LIKE LEATHER. I LIKE TO THINK WE SAVED FIVE SEA TURTLES ON CHRISTMAS MORNING.

I had hoped we could "touch" the Great Barrier Reef at the Barolin Rocks in Woongarra Marine Park (the names are so much more fun to say in Aus and NZ... even though you get the pronunciation wrong half the time!). Nature had other plans. A storm had blown in along the coast. Scotty stood on the rocks overlooking the reef and watched the "washing machine" water as he just shook his head. While the reef dips close to the beach in that spot, it was still a few hundred meter shot off the shore. Swimming there in those conditions was too risky (we didn't know what kind of currents we might encounter out there). We shook off the disappointment and found another McD's to take advantage of the WIFI.

I forgot that EVERYTHING would be closed on Christmas Day. From the parking lot we sent a few messages. I kept my intention of the Asisi tradition and fed multigrain cracker crumbs to some little birds in the parking lot. My tummy may have been rumbling, but those little birdies had their fill.

We spent our afternoon lazing in the sun at Hervey Bay. Scotty attempted a snorkel, but the water had stirred up the sand too much and made the visibility really poor. Hundreds of large bats (seagull size) slept in the trees above us and families gathered to picnic while the kids beamed over the new toys Santa had brought them. Christmas down south is far more relaxed- very casual. I kind of love the idea of it, but then I wonder what carries a person through winter if there isn't Christmas to look forward to?

HERVEY BAY

NO MISTLETOE NECESSARY

HUGE BATS. LIKE THE ONES IN FIJI.

Rainbow Beach boasts over 60 shades of sand in the dunes surrounding the settlement. We enjoyed the last hour of sunshine surrounded by swimmers in Christmas hats on this giant beach that stretched further than the eye.

RAINBOW BAY ON CHRISTMAS DAY

THE STORMS WERE A "PROBLEM" (NOT FOR THE SURFERS) ALL ALONG THE COAST. NICE TO SEE RUDOLPH AND BLITZEN WERE LIFEGUARDING CHRISTMAS DAY.

We fed our grumbly bellies on apples and peanut butter sandwiches. Scotty even poured dry Museli into his mouth and convinced me that the flavours from the nuts and dry fruit made it "an enjoyable snack."

We headed back down towards Brisbane that night, but we pulled off at a tourist rest stop and found a food court that was open! Being a Vegetarian, my options were limited (Vancouver is so gracious to us veggies... I really miss that), I settled on passion fruit yogurt and Scotty had a chicken burger.

CHRISTMAS DINNER AT A TOURIST STOP.

Now that we've gone without a Christmas dinner, we know to be especially grateful for next years'. We really missed our moms as we washed our food court dinner down with a coke zero. To do this once (perhaps twice) in life is an adventure. I wouldn't trade anything for it, but we adore being surrounded by our families.

HUGE BEETLE I SCOOPED UP WITH A SPOON. THAT THING HAD SOME SERIOUS GRIP.

 You hear that Werdals and Martens??? We  missed the hell out of you all, and we would prefer that if we're going to have yogurt and chicken burgers for future Christmas dinner, that you would be here too. Please keep that in mind for the future.

Now can somebody just win the lottery already?

My Bed Feels Amazing

We got in after 1 am this morning. Our last summer escape has come to an end. We managed to get to the top of the South Island (we probably won't make it to the North Island- we used that budget to get to Australia). The boys are set to arrive back at the hostel in one week, and then life goes back to "normal" for the next 3 months.

That being said, now that we'll be on site, I have time to sort through all our summer adventures and share them with you. I am about to become a posting machine.

Deep South

Tonight we're having gnocchi. The stuff from the deli too (the stuff that has to be kept cold because it's fresh). I feel fancy. It was on clearance because it was about to expire- beggars can't be choosers.

We ended up heading in the exact opposite direction for our road trip. We went all over the very bottom tip of the southern island. The bottom of the civilized world.

We went to this beach. It just goes on and on and on.



It was beautiful and felt kind of magical seeing as it was the last stretch of land (ignoring the few small islands) before Antarctica.

Now to get my pics from Australia organized...

Up North

You know what is the greatest? Eating spinach from your own garden. Our veggie patch exploded while we were gone. I just finished harvesting 2 grocery bags full of spinach. It's now resting in the freezer.

Scotty and I are headed up north to Golden Bay. And wherever else the mood takes us. We were supposed to leave yesterday, but I woke up with the flu and was bed ridden all day.

Source: sunsurfer.tumblr.com via Chelsea on Pinterest

Today I have that whole new lease on life that comes once you're feeling better. We'll try to do the McD's WIFI check in while we're on the road.

Week One

I am still pinching myself.

How are we this lucky? 

Coming down south was a HUGE leap for us. Taking off from YVR back in September, I was giddy and soooo nervous. Leaving everything we know, taking a step outside of our lives for 9 months- it sounds so exciting, but when the actual moment really came- I was pretty terrified.

Having the Satakes here has been huge. They have welcomed us into their family and have taken us on many adventures. Inviting us to join them on their Christmas vacation to the Gold Coast was the most incredible blessing. Brian, Helen, Maya, Grammie, Scotty and I flew into Brisbane, we spent the night on bunk beds in a Backpackers before hitting the man made lagoon in Brisbane's Southbank.

BRISBANE FROM THE SKY

ENCOURAGING MESSAGE IN THE ARRIVALS AT THE AIRPORT- "THE ACTUAL SIZE OF THE LARGEST CROC EVER FOUND IN AUSTRALIA- 8.1 METRES"

THIS ONE ALMOST MADE ME WANT TO GO BACK. THERE WAS ALSO THE PICTURE OF THE REEF ASKING YOU TO FIND THE MOST DEADLY SEA ANIMAL.... IT WASN'T THE SHARK, RAY OR EEL- IT WAS THE TINY, CLEAR BOX JELLY FISH.... BASICALLY, IF YOU GET OUT OF AUSTRALIA ALIVE, YOU'RE LUCKY.

SLEEPING ON BUNK BEDS AT THE HOSTEL... KIND OF LIKE THE DAYS WE ALL MET BACK AT QWANOES

BRISBANE ACROSS THE RIVER

STUNNING FLOWER WALKWAY

MAN MADE LAGOON ON THE SOUTHBANK IN BRISBANE

NAPPING IN THE PARK

While the Satakes played in the pools and built sand castles, Scotty and I strolled through the Christmas Market, looked for a good cuppa (ordering coffee here is still a mystery to me... long black, flat white?), and then we took a nap in the shade. Southbank had set up lounge chairs, giant ground pillows, lawn games and they strung paper lanterns in all the trees as a free community Christmas service (the signs read "Made with Love: A Picnic Under The Trees").

We arrived in Coolangatta on the Gold Coast that evening. The room was HUGE! Scotty and I were totally willing to crash on the floor, or on the balcony. Seeing the spacious living room and pullout- we knew we were set up.

MAYA LOVED HAVING SCOTTY AS HER DANCE PARTNER

Brian had big plans for our fun filled week. We pre-bought our passes into Sea World, Dream World (Australia's Disneyland equivalent) and White Water World (a giant water park).

We took it easy the next day and browsed an organic farmers market and a craft market on the beach in Surfer's Paradise (where I picked up a little gift for one of my nieces- everyone back home is always at the back of my mind). At the farmer's market there was a sign board set up by the exit. It addressed the over-consumption that plagues the Holiday season. One of the things that really resonated with me was the discussion of St. Francis of Assisi and how he believed that the birds should not go hungry on christmas day, so he would walk through the forests and scatter seeds. My eyes got pretty weepy reading about it. What a simple and beautiful tradition.

DREAMIEST JOB

 On monday we hit Sea World. The highlight for me was getting to interact with the stingrays. They were in this giant pool, and people could stick their hand in at the edges. The stingrays could choose whether they wanted to interact with the people or not (much of the pool was out of reach of people). The rays clustered at the edges. They swam back and forth against the walls looking for a pet. I think I went back to the ray pool about four times. Such beautiful and gentle creatures.

I NEVER KNEW I COULD LOVE STINGRAYS SO MUCH

BLUE PENGUINS (WE HAVE THEM DOWN HERE IN DUNEDIN)- WORLD'S SMALLEST PENGUIN... ABOUT THE SAME SIZE AS A SEAGULL

BOO.

SEE? DIDN'T IT TURN OUT AWESOME?

HI SHARK. I'M A HUGE FAN.

We attacked Dream World the following day. 

The first ride we went on was the tower of terror. I pulled this description off the website. Neither Scotty or I realized that the ride went backwards. We climbed into the front row, and as the countdown ended, we fully expected to fly forwards and have the wall in front of us drop away. I cannot explain how confusing and terrifying it was to be rushing backwards when you really thought you would be moving forwards.

An eerie silence lasts for just milliseconds before the car blasts backwards rocketing guests out of a 206m tunnel at rapid speed hitting up to 161 km/h in seven seconds flat. Riders soar 100m into the atmosphere dangling for several seconds of stomach-churning weightlessness at its peak before plummeting back to earth…only this time it’s face first. Hold on tight and brace for collision because the ultra narrow tunnel appears impossibly small for re-entry.

I GOT CAUGHT TAKING A PICTURE OF THE SCREEN. THE LADY GOT PRETTY CHOKED WITH ME, SO ALL I GOT WAS THIS BLURRY ONE. NEVER WEAR HEAVY EARRINGS ON FAST RIDES. I THOUGHT MY EARRINGS WERE GONNA RIP RIGHT OUT.

I thought I was screaming at the top of my lungs on the whole ride up to the top of the tower. That was until we began free falling back down. I didn't stop to take a breath. I screamed louder than I have ever screamed in my life. I snapped a picture of the ride photo. I was beat red from the lack of oxygen. When the ride stopped, I was inches away from crying. Way over-stimulated... FUNNEST RIDE OF MY LIFE.

Wednesday we had a "family fun day" at the beach. Our resort pulled out kayaks, sailboats, stand up paddle boards and sailboards. Brian was pretty impressive with his windsurfing skills. I tried to bust out a little yoga on my stand up board and nearly fell in (apparently they do yoga classes on them in White Rock in the summer- people who can do that must be rockstars).

MAYA ENJOYED FREAKING US ALL OUT BY GRINDING SAND IN HER TEETH. I AM SURE MY LAUGHING AT HER ONLY ENCOURAGED HER TO KEEP GOING.

A Christmas concert was held in the park below our suite. Scotty and I enjoyed it from the balcony. The summertime Christmas is pretty amazing.

 The waterpark at White Water World was full of slides that made me scream my guts out. The park is attached to Dream World (we had a park hopper ticket), so after a second day of rides, we hit the water park to cool off. While in line for our second slide, we met these two kids (about 10 and 12- a brother and sister) who had been riding all the slides all day. They told us what rides we just had to try before the park closed, and they actually led us around the park and joined us on the multiperson tube rides. I think my screaming made the rides that much more entertaining for them.

Their favourite was "The Wedgie"- which, true to its name, gave the most incredibly massive wedgie. It was probably the most terrifying slide i have ever been on. You climb into a near vertical chamber, the operator closes the door behind you and you are told to stand straight against the wall, cross your ankles and brace your neck.

"3 seconds to wedgie" is announced over a speaker, and then "3,2,1" the floor under you drops away and you are sent screaming down a tube slide. The water splashes so hard into your eyes that you have no other choice but to ride it with your eyes closed. You have no clue where you are gonna go next as you scream around corners and drop down into more corners. I let out an awkward "whoa" as I fell (in a strangely deep voice), and as I lifted my head above the water at the bottom- the two kids we were with there smiling at me from the bottom, "how was it?" It took me some time to gather myself. I was literally speechless... and my shorts were WAAAAAAYYY up there. Picking it out in front of an audience wasn't exactly what I wanted to do, but it didn't seem to phase them, and within seconds of Scotty crashing down, we were running off to the next ride.

One of my favourite slides was the "Water Coaster"- a three person tube is hurled down drops and then is propelled up by magnets, and then drops back down. Hilarious.

HUNGRY JACKS- AND AUSSIE CLASSIC. ANYTHING LOOK FAMILIAR ABOUT IT?

SURFER'S PARADISE ACROSS THE WATER

We hit Dreamworld a total of 3 times. Brian is just as theme park crazy as Scotty, and they accompanied each other on the one ride i refused to go on: the giant drop (a 119m free fall).

THE BUZZ SAW. I HAVE VIDEO OF THIS ONE IN ACTION. I SCREAMED, LAUGHED AND CRIED ALL AT THE SAME TIME. SCOTTY LOOKED AT ME WHILE WE WERE JUST HANGING UPSIDE DOWN AND SAID, "I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS HAPPENING TO YOU"

YOU CAN SEE THE WHEELS TURNING IN MY HEAD: IS THERE ANY WAY I CAN BRING YOU HOME WITH ME?

We enjoyed family dinners which were almost always followed by a magic show where Brian tried out his latest purchases (I still think he should have bought the flaming wallet), and then a dance party which centered on Maya convincing Scotty to dance with her on his knees and pretend he was Henry (her kindie crush). Having a kitchen, cooking together and sharing food made it feel like Christmas with our Kiwi family. Poor Grammie had to put up with constant teasing from Scotty and Bri. Scotty would parade around without his shirt on and try to convince her to feel his muscles or to punch him in the stomach as hard as she could. She just laughed it off, or dished it right back. Clearly we feel at home with these people.

UGH. CUTEST ANIMAL EVER.

LOOKING AT THIS MAKES ME MISS MOWGLI

A BILBY. WHAT A FUNNY LITTLE MARSUPIAL.

RED KANGAROO. SO MUSCULAR.

CUTE ZOO KEEPER TAKING THE WOMBAT OUT FOR A WALK.

WAITING TO SEE THE CROC FEEDING AND WE LOOK ACROSS THE ENCLOSURE TO SEE THIS GUY.

THERE IS THIS REALLY LOUD POPPING SOUND WHEN THE CROC SNAPS HIS JAWS SHUT. IT'S LIKE THE AIR GETS TRAPPED IN ITS MOUTH. SO FREAKY.

SPOTTED THIS IN THE PRINCESS STORE AND BEGGED SCOTTY FOR IT. MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ME.

ADULTS NEED PLAY TIME TOO.

Christmas eve came way too fast. We said our goodbyes at the airport. Scotty and I tracked down our little rental car and bee-lined for the bottom tip of the Great Barrier Reef, hoping to snorkel with the fish on Christmas morning....