Headed back to the bus station after the flying visit to Brisbane to head to Australia Zoo (Steve Irwin's Zoo). What I didn't realise is that the 15th November is Steve Irwin day and there were lots of extra activities and events planned for the day. And they wanted everyone in Khaki to show their support for continuing wildlife conservation. Luckily I had my khaki shorts on!
It was a pretty good day out. Saw the famous crocodile show with the Irwin family feeding the crocodiles - the youngest child is 9 and had a (baby) croc take food out of his hands. Also saw the tiger show, the birds flying around the main arena, Kangaroos, lots of other wildlife (lots of crocs) and I stroked a Koala in the walk through enclosure.
Stroking a koala
Had a real problem getting to the hostel in Noosa. First the greyhound was an hour and a half (nearly) late and then the hostel wouldn't pick up the phone. I was so annoyed by this point that I called a taxi and was ranting and raving to the driver. Felt so bad when I got there as there was an ambulance outside!
This hostel (Flashpackers) is amazing; free tea, free breakfast and free Internet! Also a free BBQ when I got there so I had 2 sausages and then joined in the party games as it was someone's birthday. Musical chairs definitely gets more competitive when you're older! Also got given free chocolate cake! How amazing.
Spent the evening playing cards with a couple I met (Nick and Nic!) and then Wii Mario kart. Never thought that Jack and James playing it would help me! Some of the races I did really well at as I already knew the map but the ones I never saw the boys play was terrible!!
Day 34: Noosa
Started the morning with my free breakfast and more tea and then headed down to the Eumundi market. It was a posh market so I just bought a bracelet, had Will's Christmas present ordered (they're posting it to the UK for free!) and then had some amazing warm scones with jam and cream!!
Ended up getting the bus back for free as the driver said we'd be so late back to the bus stop and we were! Had to run down the street to flag down the shuttle bus like a crazy lady.
After lunch I managed to book most of rest of my trip up the East coast. Reserved the hostels and a lot of the tours and in the process got my credit card blocked!
Hanging chair by the Pool
Spent the afternoon (after the storm past) doing the coastal walk along through the national park. Amazing scenery and I saw 2 wild koalas napping in the trees! It was a pretty windy walk and so I got a full body exfoliation from the sand!
Beach part of the coastal walk
Also saw loads of massive jelly fish that must have been washed up in the storm.
Jelly fish!
Didn't have to do the walk alone which was nice. There were some Germans people on the bus doing it also. They guys were great and spoke English the whole time but one of the girls only spoke in German (her English was perfect when she was chatting to me in the room last night) and then decided to climb down a cliff with the wind pushing towards the sea to get a good photo. How stupid! And on the whole language thing... I know I need to learn a language (Spanish course here I come when I'm home) but when you're meeting Swiss, French, German, Italian and all other languages you're never going to be able to speak them all so you speak your common language. An she told me last night she ha come to Australia to learn English! [rant over]
When I got back I had dinner with the couple I met yesterday. No instant noodles for me!! Spag Bol instead! Amazing!
Spent the evening chilling out on the corner sofa catching up my diary and with the blog whilst watching a film. A lovely relaxed evening. :)
Day 35: Noosa (Everglades)
Today I went Kayaking through the Noosa Everglades. Went out on a self guided tour for 6 hours :) I had a map and instructions from the lady as where to go and a Swiss couple who were able to kayak far faster than me in a double kayak.
The route took me through 3 different scenerys; the open lake, the heart of the Everglades (think the boat scene in the Notebook with not quite as many birds but lots of flowers) and then through te narrow river channels. Part of it is called the 'mirror river' and I could completely understand why! When there were no ripples the second image was perfect.
Stopped for lunch at the furthest point called Harry's hut. Had caught up with the couple and so the three of us wobbled all over the place as we tried to figure out how to get out of the kayak and onto the jetty. Eventually we managed it and we tied our kayaks up whilst we ate.
The return journey was lovely until it came to crossing the lake. A storm was brewing and so it was really windy, there was thunder and lightning in the distance and my arms and back were aching. Turns out I paddled a 22km round trip! It was pretty scary and when you're on such a big lake the other side never feels any closer!
Bought chocolate on the way home which made me feel better and a warm shower. Spent the whole evening on the sofa watching movies.. I chose a girly one so the boys picked Armageddon for the next one. To shattered from paddling to do anything else but drink tea and watch TV!
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