April 14, 2001 - Saturday - Sunshine Beach
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| The view off our balcony - the Coral Sea, some forests, even a rainbow! - Queensland, Australia |
The day didn't start well, especially for Matt because we found a flat tire on our car. After Joerg did most of the tire changing, we headed north again and to the coast. It was a nice drive but the skies were a little cloudy and drizzly - So much for the Sunshine Coast.
We drove up the sunshine coast and stopped at a place to go swim but it started raining again so we headed north again. Joerg wanted to find a Pizza Hut all you can eat buffet and we drove for a while and eventually located one. After finding out that it costs twice as much on the weekend, he said, "I will sit in the car and see if I can find something to eat." Without a word of thanks, he turned and started rummaging through the food box. I wanted to strangle him.
We walked outside and looked in a camp store and then bought a family dinner at KFC and brought it back to the car so Joerg could join us for the food (Matt's idea). We found out that he ate some soup and bread already so we had to split the dinner 3-ways instead. Joerg was also a bit critical on Matt's driving and complaining about finding a place to camp. I'm very impressed with Matt's patience. Again, I would've gone off on him. Joerg was a bit distant since Caroline's arrival and pretty much sat in the car and read during the entire last two or three days.
We drove north to Noosa Head and drove around for a while but couldn't find any place to camp or any caravan parks. Matt stopped by a condo rental to ask for directions and found out that they had a unit with a last minute cancellation. It costs A$100 for all four of us per night with a 3 night commitment to stay there and after taking a look at it, we took it. I was surprised that Joerg went along with it especially when it costs A$25 each.
The unit was very large and nice - with a great view of the Coral Sea, heated pool, whirlpool, sauna, two bedrooms, large living room, dining room, kitchen, bathroom, and washer and dryer. It's a short walk to the beach and has a TV and video. It's like a complete 180 from where we stayed last night. We were all smiles and happy as if we won some sort of lottery.
April 15, 2001 - Sunday - Sunshine Beach
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| Noosa Head National Park, Queensland, Australia |
The day got started a little late due to the fact that we were at a beach house. I wish it were warmer so I could sit on the balcony without being cold. We went into town and bought some groceries and shopped before heading back to the beach house.
After lunch, I headed down to the beach and walked along a cool Sunshine beach to Noosa National Park. The others decided to enjoy the beach and the beach house. The trail on the perimeter of the park winds up and down along the cliff face. It's surrounded by seashore rainforest with crashing waves down below.
I finally went to a bay where there were surfers riding waves in and out continuously. I sat there and watched them until sunset - it was a nice sunset but a little cool. I continued on and walked further - I didn't realize how far I was until I got back in town again at 6 and it was totally dark. When I came into the door finding my travel mates cooking, it was already 7.
Dinner was good but greasy - Caroline made a potato dish filled with butter (she'll probably slap me for saying that). After dinner Matt and Caroline were enjoying a quiet time on the couch, listening to music while I worked on the computer. Joerg came back from his bath and just bossed his way to watching some car race on TV, turning down the music, and pretty much driving Caroline to bed. Matt fell asleep on the couch.
April 16, 2001 - Monday - Sunshine Beach
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| Surfers waiting for the wave - Noosa Head National Park, Queensland, Australia |
Joerg continues to annoy everyone in his special ways. We did laundry this morning but had to wait for Joerg because he didn't have anything to wear. After waiting for a while, he followed Matt to go for a swim anyway. We finally went into town after lunch and tried to book a tour.
Caroline still hasn't gotten in contact with her friends so she still doesn't know her travel arrangements. We went to one place and Joerg pretty much just jumped on the Internet and wanted us to decide on our tour. After talking to the tour desk for a while, we decided on a tour and told Joerg. Joerg then went back to ask the same questions about the various tours. I think this was even too much for nice-and-easy Matt because he whispered to me "why the hell didn't he decide with us then!" It was the first complaint about anything I've ever heard from Matt.
We ended up probably going for the cheapest one that Joerg wanted but we didn't book it at the time so we could wait for Caroline to contact her friends. Joerg's reply to that was "so we didn't get anything done today."
After returning to the condo, Matt grilled some of the meats we bought from last night and then we were going to watch the movie Point Break but Joerg insisted on watching My Left Foot. After about half hour, Joerg went to the dining room to read because he didn't like the movie. What a fucking idiot.
April 17, 2001 - Tuesday - Sunshine Coast
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| Joerg, Me, Caroline, and Matt with our dinner - Sunshine Beach, Queensland, Australia |
Caroline decided that she couldn't ditch her friends to go traveling with us so I guess it will be the 3 of us again. It's a shame because I was getting along with Caroline really well. While we bought our tour tickets, another Brit girl waiting at the desk asked if she could ride along with us and Matt turned to Caroline and said that we found a replacement for her already, which she wasn't too amused to hear.
She kinda stalked out of the cyber café and disappeared for a while. We straightened out our tickets and she eventually showed up. Joerg wanted to take the car and drop us off at various places and Matt was going to let him but Joerg probably saw the objection in my face. He later changed his mind and said he'd walk.
We left Joerg and head to the main beach where I got dropped off and I walked into Noosa Heads before heading to the national park again.
Joerg and Matt were playing in the pool shortly after I got back and I talked to Caroline for a while before heading to the whirlpool. Matt joined us for a short time before heading back up to watch the Simpsons. Caroline and I had a nice long chat in the spa for a while. I can honestly say that she's one of the nicest girls I've ever met.
April 18, 2001 - Wednesday - Sunshine Coast
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| Surfers waiting for the wave - Noosa Head National Park, Queensland, Australia |
We checked out of our condo a little after 10 and headed into town to get some things taken care of. Afterward, we went to find a campground and finally located one in Tewantin. The lady at the reception was a bit of a bitch but we checked in without any further problem.
Joerg decided to stay at the campground while Matt, Caroline and I headed into town. Matt dropped me off in the town of Tewantin and almost ran over Caroline in the process, but they proceeded without any further incidents.
I bought some fruits before I headed to Noosa Harbour dock and boarded the ferry into Noosa Heads. The round trip ticket cost A$10, which I thought was a little high, but it was OK. The ferry slowly pushed toward each stop with the commentator giving us information about the area, but nothing really interesting.
The harbour has beautiful houses surround by manicured gardens and lush greeneries. It must be very nice to live here, although it's lacking in non-water activities. After getting off the ferry, I walked along the esplanade along the main beach and watched people playing in the water. After chilling out for a few hours, I board the ferry again and headed back to Tewantin.
Joerg was still reading in his hammock and I went to watch TV until Matt and Caroline came back and we went out for dinner and a night out at the Koala Bar. The music was actually pretty good but not too many people were dancing.
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