Monday, November 23, 2009

Summer in Queensland

Mooloolaba Beach
It's summertime in Queensland and that means it's hot! It's 90 degrees in the shade this time of year and all the Aussies are hitting the beach and we have been no different. After getting all checked into the country, we left Bundaberg and sailed down the coast stopping along the way at the busy beach town of Mooloolaba. We spent five days in Mooloolaba enjoying the beach and the Wharf Marina, which is located in the heart of all the action. Next, we continued down the coast to Scarborough Marina. Scarbrah (as the locals pronounce it), will be Scholarships new home while we are in Australia. Scarborough is located approx 40 mins. north of Brisbane in a quiet suburb. After getting Scholarship tucked into her slip, our next order of business was to get some wheels. We bought a 1996 Toyota Townace which is more soccer mom van than camper van. It drives like a car but still has enough room for bikes and all kinds of camping gear. Australia's open road here we come! Below are a few pictures from the last few weeks, including some from a weekend we spent with friends in beautiful Brisbane. Young lifesavers in training The giant prawn The new Toyota Brisbane The Brisbane river On the 26th floor with Cabaret and Robyn's Nest Brisbane Botanical Gardens

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

The Land of Oz

After a swift, five day, 780 mile passage from Noumea, New Caledonia we made landfall in Bundaberg, Australia on October 26th. After check in, and a little rest we were ready to explore and take part in the Port II Port Rally. In it's tenth year, the Port II Port in an excuse for fifty boats to arrive in Bundaberg around the same time and celebrate the end of the cruising season. This event included fun dinners, charity fund raisers and even cane toad races. We spent over a week in Bundaberg partying with fellow cruisers, trying the famed Bundaberg rum and keeping a look out for kangaroos. We are excited to be here, as now our Australian adventure begins!