Chunky, choc cheesecake and other treats

Fraser Island

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We did go to Fraser Island for a daytrip. It's also on the world's heritage list since it's the world's largest sandy beach with a tropical rainforest as well. It was a beautiful island and the bus took us for a ride on the highway - meaning the beach itself. We came across a huge shipwreck, a real dingo (we learned that this is not a dog, but it's closely realted to the asian wolf) and we went for a swim in a lake surrounded by a beach.

Shipwreck in Fraser Island

The best part was a big lunch buffet. Being a backpacker, you usually have noodles or really cheap meals, such as junkfood. Imagine eating simple food for weeks and then being served a buffet..Well, it was the kind of dinner where you fill up your plate so much that you feel stupid (you actually need 2 plates). And when you start eating you don't have time to socialise, you just eat and once in a while make the "mmm" sound. We became full for hours. And the meal certainly wouldn't have been so good if we hadn't been on the backpacker diet for such a long time.

History: Fraser Island is named after a british captain who came to the island in the 19th century with his pregnant wife. There came a mutiny on the ship and the remaining crew entered the island, but were struck down by local aboriginees. Captain Fraser was killed during the fight whilst the wife Eliza, lost her baby. Next she was captured by the aboriginess and help captive on the island for 9 months. She was eventually rescued by a rescue team and went back to britain where she became rich and famous for selling her exotic story.

Brisbane

We set out for Brisbane on tuesday evening and stayed once again in Chinatown. Our hostel was huge and overcrowded with a 20 bed dorm and here Astrid got a diploma for having the best last name of all guests in the hostel! Fineally some recognition.

We like Brisbane. We enjoyed strolling in the botanic garden and hunting for vintage shops in different areas. We stumbled upon a very charming shop with charming staff and fell in love with all their dresses. Turns out Brisbane has a lot of vintage boutiques, antique shops and used books to offer. We also found a greek cafe with delicious greek (of course) food.

Eli Creek

Another day we worked our way through a museum, an art museum and the even more modern art museum. The last one was quite funny. One of the installations was different people singing horrible versions of Micheal Jackson songs. Another room was filled with ballons. If you're going to Brisbane - you should definitely check out all the park areas and have an ice cream. The park workers are hot, so the view is astonishing.



Lake McKensie

 We fineally made our way to a concert. We found some good live music in a club called 'the zoo' where no backpackers, only locals were hanging out. There were several indie bands playing for us. Our Brisbane stay was ended with brownie and chunky, choc cheesecake. Mmm!

Port Maquarie


Our next stop was a small town 5 hours from Sydney. Port Maquarie was a very quiet and relaxing place. Not very touristy, in fact we meet Australian people staying in hostel. We skipped all the places where backpackers usually go to get drunk for a week, such as Byron Bay and Surfers Paradise. The hostel owner was very proud of us and as experienced backpacker he told us how the backpacker culture has changed a lot during the last couple of years. From young people wanting to experience local culture to people travelling to drink and party. He was now selling the hostel..

The hostel itself was quite historic dating back to 1888. The owners were as mentioned backpackers and meet each other while backpacking. It was a charming place and so old, it's gotta be haunted. We could sit outside in huge couches on the front porch and freeze in the autumn breeze. Cause' now it's getting colder - 17 degrees in the evening! Astrid was freezing and every time she uttered anything about the dropping temperatures she found no sympathy. People would reply "What? You're cold? But you're Norwegian!".



Trying out vintage dresses



Port Maquarie was one of the first places where the convicts from Britain settled. Astrid visited several old churches and a historical churchyard. When it came to the wildlife we did not find the dolphins Tony (hostel owner) promised us. However we did find a rain forest filled with squeaking bats. Some of us are certainly living up to 'do something everyday that scares you'.

We also visited Australia's one and only Koala sanctuary. Here 200 local volunteers are taking care of sick and orphan koalas. They call these baby koalas: Joey's and I think they are like grandchildren to them. They feed them with milk bottles. One of the koalas was called Randy - coincidence?

Koala hospital