Since I last wrote, the best part of another term elapsed and a new one has begun. During the holidays, Michael and I took some trips together, which were most enjoyable. We took off at the beginning of the holidays for Noosa. Unfortunately, it was a bit colder than it is now, so swimming could be a little frigid. We had days mainly between 24 and 26 degrees. On our first day, we took a walk around Mount Tibrogargan (never ask me to pronounce that), which is one of the peaks in the Glasshouse Mountains. The Glasshouse Mountains aren't really mountains - more rocky pinnacles - but they're certainly bizarre shapes and make for awesome landscape.
From there, we drove to the Airbnb and enjoyed a dip in the pool there. We did a spot of shopping and had a quiet night in, because I'd caught cold that day and was a bit blocked up. The next day we went to Noosa main beach, which was very busy. Because Noosa main beach is on a peninsula, the parking to people ratio is a bit problematic. After living somewhere where there's no traffic and always free parking, we found it somewhat frustrating, but managed to find a spot in the end. It's a beautiful beach there, but I have to say that I feel the Gold Coast has better facilities for large groups of people. It's also (dare I say it) perhaps a little less snobby than Noosa. I know a lot of people who say the Gold Coast is cliche and tacky, but I reckon there are some pretty good reasons for it being a world class stretch of coastline.
We took a walk in Noosa National Park and wound up on the very beach some of our kind friends had urged us to avoid (apparently Alexandra Beach is a nudist beach - but because we went in the evening it was entirely vacant - just a big old sea eagle looking down on the emptiness). Ironically, with no people on it, it's actually quite a lovely beach. On the way back, these massive hornet things crossed paths with us, and I had a mini freak out. I'm surprisingly fine when encountering snakes, bats, frogs, and large spiders (frogs are actually really cool) but large things that fly and aren't birds or bats just shouldn't exist in my opinion. Bleugh. Then we had this incredible meal of polpettone and pizza at an Italian restaurant.
While we were on the Sunny Coast, we also went to Sea Life Aquarium at Maroochydore. But the highlight for me was probably that last trip to a beach before heading inland. Coolum proved to be more relaxing to get a park at than Noosa, and it was delightful to spend time at.
Later in the holidays, we had a friend from New Zealand come to stay with us, and we drove him around and did various activities. We headed out to the Aviation Museum at Oakey (which wasn't really my thing, but the guys seemed interested in it). The trip was totally worth it, however, when I spotted a wild koala up a tree near the museum! My pictures are very poor, but perhaps you can spot it. We also visited Crow's Nest National Park, which I've heard can be a real oasis when there's water. However, there wasn't much water, and there wasn't much shade either, because most of the trees were shriveled up, which meant an hour's walk at midday was rather exhausting. We did see little turtles in the one big pool of water there was though.
The holidays fairly flew by, and now it's term again, with all the busyness that entails. But it not a long term, and Christmas is at the end of it, which is always wonderful. We are heading back to New Zealand for a visit in mid December. It will seem very cold after numerous 30+ days here (we've had several 38s already), but I'll pack jerseys.
In the meantime, you may enjoy my terrible photos. I give you permission.
From there, we drove to the Airbnb and enjoyed a dip in the pool there. We did a spot of shopping and had a quiet night in, because I'd caught cold that day and was a bit blocked up. The next day we went to Noosa main beach, which was very busy. Because Noosa main beach is on a peninsula, the parking to people ratio is a bit problematic. After living somewhere where there's no traffic and always free parking, we found it somewhat frustrating, but managed to find a spot in the end. It's a beautiful beach there, but I have to say that I feel the Gold Coast has better facilities for large groups of people. It's also (dare I say it) perhaps a little less snobby than Noosa. I know a lot of people who say the Gold Coast is cliche and tacky, but I reckon there are some pretty good reasons for it being a world class stretch of coastline.
We took a walk in Noosa National Park and wound up on the very beach some of our kind friends had urged us to avoid (apparently Alexandra Beach is a nudist beach - but because we went in the evening it was entirely vacant - just a big old sea eagle looking down on the emptiness). Ironically, with no people on it, it's actually quite a lovely beach. On the way back, these massive hornet things crossed paths with us, and I had a mini freak out. I'm surprisingly fine when encountering snakes, bats, frogs, and large spiders (frogs are actually really cool) but large things that fly and aren't birds or bats just shouldn't exist in my opinion. Bleugh. Then we had this incredible meal of polpettone and pizza at an Italian restaurant.
While we were on the Sunny Coast, we also went to Sea Life Aquarium at Maroochydore. But the highlight for me was probably that last trip to a beach before heading inland. Coolum proved to be more relaxing to get a park at than Noosa, and it was delightful to spend time at.
Later in the holidays, we had a friend from New Zealand come to stay with us, and we drove him around and did various activities. We headed out to the Aviation Museum at Oakey (which wasn't really my thing, but the guys seemed interested in it). The trip was totally worth it, however, when I spotted a wild koala up a tree near the museum! My pictures are very poor, but perhaps you can spot it. We also visited Crow's Nest National Park, which I've heard can be a real oasis when there's water. However, there wasn't much water, and there wasn't much shade either, because most of the trees were shriveled up, which meant an hour's walk at midday was rather exhausting. We did see little turtles in the one big pool of water there was though.
The holidays fairly flew by, and now it's term again, with all the busyness that entails. But it not a long term, and Christmas is at the end of it, which is always wonderful. We are heading back to New Zealand for a visit in mid December. It will seem very cold after numerous 30+ days here (we've had several 38s already), but I'll pack jerseys.
In the meantime, you may enjoy my terrible photos. I give you permission.
