Australia

I have been camping!! In a tent! Not something I do too often. Unfortunately... It was actually very nice.

We drove for a while before we stoppet at Woolworths to get some food and after that; the bottle shop!

Then we headed for the mountains to find a camping ground and set up the tent before it got too dark.
It gets pretty dark here pretty fast, so lucky us had candles!

We camped near some beautiful falls, which I of course have forgotten the name of... But it is the tallest single drop fall in Australia. (278 meters or something..)
Although it doesn't really look that tall on my pictures...

We went for a walk before dinner up to the fall, the moon was full and made the landscape blue.. Too bad my camera doesn't take good night photos, it was magnificant! Breathtaking.. And the water made sooo much noice it's unbelieveble! Everything else was quiet and we were the only people there.. Quite magic..

The next day we went back again to get a look at the falls in daylight and to walk down to the bottom of the gorge. It was a 1.7km (each way) steep walk and that's hot in the tropics!!

But worth it of course..

We went to some other waterfalls before we went home, but it wasn't quiet the same...

Hopefully I can go camping again sometime soon, and then it would be nice to spend a little bit more than one night in the bush..

All well though, I've not been bitten by spiders or snakes. Not eaten by a croc, or attacked by a cassowary: perfect trip!

I left Airlie one fine Friday and set off to Magnetic Island with Em, Andrew and Zac. Full moon party here we come!
We had a really good trip up to Townsville, but there it started to get tricky.. I'm not the only person who's born 15 minutes too late.. We nearly missed the last ferry over to Maggie, but made it in time cause we didn't pay for parking.. Luckily there was no ticket waiting when we came back.. Puh. Then Em managed to forget her handbag on the bus.. Zac to the rescue, she got it back after less than half an hour, with everything still in it! Lucky girl..

The party was good, the island better. Had a great time, met a lot of funny people, but boy it was hard to go back to being a regular backpacker after living in Airlie for so long. Back in Townsville again it was time to say goodbye to the boys. It was quite sad cause I don't know when I'll see them again, but at least we've had a really good time.

Next stop was Mission Beach to do some white water rafting. The highlight of the trip for Em and myself. We had great weather and a good team, awesome day on the river! And yes, we did get wet.. Both Em and I forgot to bring extra shoes, so we had to walk barefoot the rest of the day.. Rafting is something I wouldn't mind doing again! I'll definately find myself a river to raft when I get back home..

Next stop was Cairns, which has sort of been my goal destination in Australia. Beautiful city. Although it didn't quite catch me.. A bit "touristy". It's bigger than Airlie, and that was strange in the beginning, I didn't quite know where to start to get to know the town, but by the time I left again I'd managed not to get lost too many times a day, hehe.

While I was in Cairns I went to Cape Tribulation to see the rainforest. I'm really glad I did, it was beautiful.
I met some nice people and we went sea kayaking and horsebackriding on the beach.

Taking a picture of myself trying not to drop the camera in the water..

Beach at cape trib

Horsie!!

Back in Cairns I didn't really know what to do next or where to go.. But even though Cairns isn't a huge city (it only has about 130 000 people), it was bigger then I preferred at the moment, so I decided to go back to Mission beach again. And here I am! It's small and peaceful and I love it! Didn't really get to see the beach properly the last time, so now I'm enjoying it to the full!

Borrowed a bike. Good fun. More fun if it had an engine..

I have been here for two months now, and really enjoyed it, even though it's the smallest town I've ever stayed in.

I came in to work this morning, just in time as I overslept... (It's amazing how hard it is to go to work after having a weekend off..) I think I was still asleep when I came in today and tried to find my name on a board. (That's how I know where I'll be working that day) I couldn't find it, so I went to my boss and asked where I was going to work, and she sent me home! So my last day at work was Friday. I wish she told me on Friday.. Then I could've stayed in bed this morning istead of rushing in to work.. Ah, well. At least I got up to enjoy this beautiful day!

Part of me actually doesn't want to leave this place now. I know so many people and I know all about this place. Well, there you go, that's a reason for leaving, go get to know another part of Australia! But it will be sad to leave my friends behind.. Especially since I don't know if I'll ever see them again. It's different to leave your home and your friends and family cause you know you'll be coming back to them..

So now I have to go find myself a place to stay. As I do not longer work here and accomodation was part of my paycheck, I have no room anymore. Well, that is: I do, but then I would have to pay for it. I'll go see if any of my friends want a new roommate for a couple of days! I can clean at least, hehe. Don't know about my cooking skills though, so I don't think I have too much to brag about. Yesterday I was making corn cob for dinner and I guess I had it on too hot, there was cooking oil splashing around everywhere, you couldn't see anything because of all the smoke in the room and my cob was black. I had to open the door and put the fan on full to get the smoke out.. My friend was not impressed.. But it tasted lovely, so you didn't see me complaining!

I'm off to the beach now, so I'll write more later, can't stay inside in this gorgeous weather!

Airlie beach

A nice afternoon spent at Abel point marina

Sunset at Abel point

Sunscreen for those who spend A LOT of time in the sun

Stones at Coral beach

Baby lizzard

Tiril did my hair!

The weather is still nice here, sunny and warm. But the nights are getting colder.. I thought I got it, but I didn't after all, the weather in Australia is sooo strange!

But I'm not complaining!!! Not at all, Norway in the winter is horrible in comparison.

And being in Airlie is at least relaxing. I don't worry about a thing. I spend my days working and night reading, getting to know new people or partying. When I have a day off, I have found some good spots to bring my mp3 and my book. I prefer to be all alone and chill, just me and my thoughts, and sometimes I get to watch some of the most beautiful sunsets I have ever seen. Like today. I have pictures, but I have to look at them on a computer or something first to see if they're any good.

I know my sister think I take to many scenic photos, and too many animalpictures.. But the nature and wildlife here is so beautiful and so different from home I can't help myself..

I will, however, try harder to take some different ones, envolving people and things we do... Just for you sis, cause I love you!

And staying in a place like this gives you an opportunity to meet a lot of people, there's so many people passing through. The downside of course is that they all leave after a while..
But it's worth it...

Now I'm going to have my free dinner at Morocco's!

And by the way, I'm back to working only in housekeeping again. Em is working in the laundry with two of our roomies. We moved in to a proper staff room now and share with another English girl and a couple from Ireland. They're all very nice!! So you're never lonely, hehe..

Airlie beach is not the biggest place on earth, and not the most interesting unfortunately..

If you're not full of cash, have a car or a lot of friends, it's really not much to do here...

So I don't really have a lot to tell..

My job is ok, though. I'd never thought I'd like to be a cleaner, but it isn't that bad actually. I work with different people every day and in different rooms, so the days pass fairly quick. We usually finish at about three, so we still have time to go to the lagoon if it's not raining. Which is what I've done today!

And every now and then some nice people move in to our room, and we make some new friends.

At the moment Tiril is visiting, and that is SOOOO nice! It's good to have someone "from home" to talk to. We didn't know eachother for a long time before we left, but it's still nice. She's going back to Norway soon, and I kinda envy her, but on the other hand I'm not nearly ready to go home just yet. I like Australia.. hehe..

And I really love travelling. I'd just love to go on a four month world tour or something to Asia, South America, Cuba and so on... Not alone though.. But that would be great fun!

Well.. My mind just went blank.. I haven't done much lately, cause I still haven't got my first paycheck, it's due tomorrow..
So we'll see if I'm up to some fun later on, hahaha!

Hope you're all having a great summer, I'm having the best winter ever! It's warmer here at the moment than in Oslo...

So, I have been in Airlie for nearly two weeks. Em and I have walked the streets up and down a houndred times.. That's what it feels like anyway.. Looking for work, asked around everywhere, even McDonalds! Noone can say that I didn't try!
Finally we got a job at the resort where we stay. We're supposed to clean rooms for food and accomodation, pluss a few dollars a week. Not great, but not bad either. We start tomorrow.
It's 8 hours a day, 5 days a week and we start at 9. I can live with that..

At least money will not only go out of my account, but finally in as well! I need to save up a bit before we continue north. There's still Magnetic island, Cape Tribulation (Great Barrier Reef meets the Rainforest), diving and much more to explore! Hehe..

Have to mention that I'm officially addicted to Nando's chicken. And Dad, you'd be proud of me, I love corn on a cob!!! I'd eat corn every day if I could.. With butter, salt and pepper.. Mmmmm...

And I should also thank Em for looking after me.. She's banned me from touching animals.. And other stuff that live in the wild.. A few days ago we were out clubbing.. I have to admit that I had consumed a few jugs of cider at this point.. I went to the bus stop to say goodbyu to a friend who was leaving. To get there you have to cross through a small park. And so I did, and I saw this cuddly little animal crawl up a tree.. I thought it looked like the racoon from Pocahontas,Miko, and thought I'd go over and pet him.. (I might have been spending too much time socialising with wild animals in parks...) Well, anyway, he sat at the bottom of the tree and kinda waited for me to come over, so I bent down and pettet him. Not a good idea.. He grabbed my arm and bit me!!!! How rude! Later I found out that it wasn't the racoon from Pocahontas, but an Australian possum... Therefore, I am not allowed to touch.. And lucky she did say that, cause the other day while I was brushing my teeth, I saw a lizzard or a gekko or something on the wall and nearly tried to pet that too, but remembered Em's words.. Luckily.. I don't think it could harm me, but evidently I could've harmed it... Ops..

There is a huge lizzard (guana, I think it's called) right where we live. It's 1 1/2 meter long and very ugly. I came out of my room the other day, and there it was, just two metres away from me. They're not even scared! So I feel that I live in the bush..

Well. Enough talk of animals. Just a little more.. I have sent a picture of me and Lizzie (my horse from coyboy school) to Kaare and Dorothy with a postcard telling them what I've been doing lately. I have also sent pictures to my grandparents. So they can see for themselves that I'm still alive and doing fine, hehe..

That's it for now. I'll be back when I have more stories to tell...

Hugs!!!

I can't believe how much there is to see in this country, and how much fun you can have seeing it!
I came back from my sailing trip two days ago and again I wished I could have stayed longer. The Whitsundays are beautiful.. We were on a boat called Boomerang, alltogether 27 backpackers and four crew. Very different from the Fraser trip, but just as good. The first day we went snorkelling. There were so many fish there, unbelieveble! And they were too accustomed to people, they were nibbeling my hands and feet, they were surrounding me! That was actually a bit freaky...
But the next morning we went snorkelling again somewhere else, and that was amazing! I saw some huge fish...
Later that day we went to Whitehaven beach.. So pretty.. It reminded me a bit of Gramvousa on Crete, but bigger.. At night Ben and Snowey played guitar and sang Irish drinking songs and a lot more. It was such a nice trip.

Whitehaven..

Carina the Skipper.. hehe

Back in Airlie we all went out to Beaches in the night. Had such a good time.. We were a good team on that boat, hehe.

Airlie beach is a nice little town full of backpackers. I'll look for work here, would like to stay for longer. And besides, I need cash now...

I'm sitting in a travel agancy at the moment and thery're closing, so I'll write the rest later...

Now I am in Rainbow Beach at a Dingo hostel, hehe.. Just came back from Fraser island. Wow, that was fun!!

I wish I could show you all pictures now, but I have them only on my camera... And by the way, I'm fine, but there's no reception here, so my phone is pretty much dead.. I didn't realize until it was too late to tell anyone about it. Today we're heading for Airlie beach to go on a sailing trip on the Withsundays, so I might not have reception there either. So don't worry if you can't get a hold of me, I'm alright. I travel with nice people. Em is still with me, and we've met up with two Norwegian guys, three Danish guys, four Irish and two English. All very nice. We all went to Fraser toghether and had a blast!

We left the hostel in four Jeeps carrying about 11 people each on Friday morning.

This is what we drove

First we went along the beach ( which is the closest thing you come to a road) and then in to the middle of the island to swim in Lake MacKenzie. Unbelievably beautiful!
Then we continued north and camped on the beach. No toilets or any fancy things, and we were on the worlds largest sand island, I guess I don't have to tell you that it was a lot of sand everywhere... Absolutely everywhere.. I have eaten and drunk sand for three days..

Saturday we went to Lake Wabby, which is a half hour walk on a sandblow. The water is green and not one bit transparant. You can't see anything! Well, we saw some huge fishes swimming close to the surface along the shore line... So I didn't stay in the water for a long time... I probably wouldn't have gone in at all if it wasn't for the fact that Em pushed me in..

Me on my way back from the lake

Then we drove up to Indian Head, a little hill where you can see sharks swimming around below you, if you're lucky.. Hehe..
We weren't..
So we went back a bit to the Maheno ship wreck and set up camp there. Still no fancy pancy camp site, just us and the sand.. But by now we were pretty much used to it, so.. And we brought enough goon (cheapest white wine that you can get, only 9 dollars/45 kroner for 4 litres) to keep us drunk the whole three days, so it wasn't really a problem anyways, hehe.
I have become a true camper. Can't remember if I changed clothes at all during those three days, but at least we swam in the lakes, so we weren't that dirty..

Maheno chip wreck

Dingo

The beach... Does anyone envy me just a little...? Hehe..

Look in front of you for meeting cars, people, animals and creeks. Look behind you for overtaking cars.
Look above you for landing aircrafts! This beach is also a landing strip...

The final day was just spent chilling out on the beach near Eli creek. Very good trip, recommendable!

So now I', sitting here in Rainbow beach waiting for my bus to take me to Airlie beach. The boat to the Whitsundays leave Wednesday morning. I think I'm back on Friday, but I don't really remember. After that it's job hunting time..

Forgot to write about the koala sanctuary... Em, Heidi and I went there when we were in Brisbane. The main goal was to hug a koala, since we couldn't do that in Sydney...
So off we went to find a bus. It was about twelve o'clock, as usual we were off a bit late.. Can't be bothered to get out of ben too early you know, hehe.
Anyway. We couldn't find our bus stop so we went to an information center.. Nice.. The lady sent us to the wrong stop and that really pissed me off! Why can't people listen??!!! *@#^$%!!!
The park was really nice though, I was worth the long bus ride. Anyway, Heidi does so many strange things that listening to her all the way is entertainment enough!

We ended up not hugging any koalas, we just petted them, but Heidi got to hold a tiny crocodile, so she was satisfied at least, hehe. The best part was feeding the kangaroos. You get a bag of pellets and go up to them, sit down or whatever and they'll eat off your hand! Amazing! I love roos!

Nice koala

Little chicken, sit still while I hug you!

Roo eating off my hand

The rest was just ok, nothing really interesting. We saw dingoes, but now I have seen them live in the wild on Fraser Island and that was much nicer. They look very different from those in the park, smaller and darker. I think I got some good pictures. I'll get them on cd later on.