When I arrived in Brisbane back in September, Hayden picked me up from the airport and we went straight to the Gold Coast. The Gold Coast is the general term used to describe a long stretch of beach's and towns that run along the coast. It has a reputation for being quite the party scene and people come from all over to experience what the Gold Coast has to offer. But I wasn't quite sure what to expect upon arriving...
I lucked up and landed a job at Beergarden tavern 3 days after I got here. It was a place that had a long streak of no cover charge, dollar beer nights, and catered to 'lower class' drinkers. Yet before I started they remodeled the entire place, which really turned the joint into a classy, dancing, late night booze fest.
I wasn't a bartender (they only seamed to prefer girls in that position), I was hired as a 'glassie.' The job consisted of me being the guy who gathered empty jugs and glasses; and who also got to graciously clean up the restrooms and vomit puddles as they arose during the night. I know you're all thinking how awesome of a job that sounds...and believe me, it was every bit demeaning as it could be. Yet the job did have its perks, and I was determined to have my own fun.
There was a team of six glassies that would work every Friday and Saturday night from 10pm to 6am. And the things you see between those hours of night will make you question the sanity of many people. I've been out late myself among these people, but I guess seeing this type of environment sober, at 4am, with thousands of people crowding the streets is actually kinda scary.
Every bar in Surfers had their own security that monitored the floor and doors. These guys were every bit large as they were short tempered. Seeing these guys jump the gun and throw their weight around was a regular thing. Some deserved it, some maybe didn't deserve it as much. I honestly can say I didn't leave the bar without seeing some type of altercation, whether between our security and the inebriated, or between two barely standing alpha males. My very first night, I was out on the dance floor cleaning up a dropped drink (which is an unbelievably difficult task when there's hundreds of people crammed together) when I look up in front of me and see a fella shouting obscenities in my direction... I thought it was to me and wasn't sure how to take it. Then in a split second I'm pushed out of the way by a guy who comes in and completely sledgehammers a guys jaw. Oddly enough both of them fell down near my feet. I stood there...drooling with excitement as they attempt to get up from the soaked floor. Yet neither one could rise to his feet because the ground was so wet. It was as if the ground was an ice ring covered in soap. Both guys were so angry and wanted to continue the battle, but neither one could stand up. I then realized that the Beergarden was going to be a great place to work.
There was another time when this older gentleman was in the bar and was visually unable to stand straight with out holding onto something. So as our lovely security guards did, they decided it was time for him to leave. As two of them grabbed his arms to walk him out, he declares (i couldn't understand a word he said) he wasn't drunk and wanted to stay in the bar. He then became violent and decided to fight our bouncers. Ha ha...bad mistake. One of ours bouncers grabs him by his arm and slide kicks his feet from under him Chuck Norris style, causing our feisty friend to drop flat on his face. They each grab a leg and arm and carry him out to the top of our steps where, to add insult to even more injury, they literally tossed him down 20 feet of steps to the pavement outside. He required an ambulance.
Or the time(s) when I caught guys peeing in the corner of the bar. Or when a 'romantic' couple was caught in the stall together...twice. Or the astonishing amount of money I found. Or the see-how-many-phone-numbers-you-can-get game. Or when your done with work at 6am, you ride the bus home with 30 party animals. Some of which are slurring, others philosophizing, some are on the brink of getting sick, a few are passed out in the back, and there's always this one person who curses and criticizes the bus driver to the point where he pulls over, shuts it down and walks off...true story.
My first two months wouldn't have been the same if it wasn't for that job. The people I met and the things I saw are what has made my trip to Australia so great thus far.
Monday, December 28, 2009
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Well the good news is in...I'm back to a paid job! That's right, after all my precious hard work at Koala Adventure Island, they have extended to me a full time position, which is awesome news. The pay is pretty good and I still get food and accommodation in the trade off for working. Not only am I working in the cafe' and providing guests with delicious food and unmatched service, but the owner has learned that I've just graduated with my Marketing and Advertising degree and wants me to help him with that as well. I never thought I be using my degree down here in Australia. This should be a great learning opportunity for me and a pretty big resume' booster.
It's Thursday, and Christmas is tomorrow. I keep forgetting until I hear a carol or the nagging reminder about the secret Santa gift I was suppose to buy. Being in the tropics of an island really sucks the life out of Christmas if you ask me...but Australia as a whole experiences Christmas in the middle of their summer. Just doesn't feel right. So this Christmas will be celebrated in a non traditional style of frosty coconut rum concoctions, an outdoor joyful buffet of food, 9 holes of festive golf, and 16 jolly co-worker backpackers all calling each other family for one day.
We have been informed that we're having a big dinner planned as well as the bar will be open for drinks in the evening. On the down side..I have to work the cafe' for breakfast and lunch Christmas day...though that is quite heartless, it won't go uncelebrated in my own special way.
To everyone; I wish you a very Merry Christmas! Be safe and enjoy.
It's Thursday, and Christmas is tomorrow. I keep forgetting until I hear a carol or the nagging reminder about the secret Santa gift I was suppose to buy. Being in the tropics of an island really sucks the life out of Christmas if you ask me...but Australia as a whole experiences Christmas in the middle of their summer. Just doesn't feel right. So this Christmas will be celebrated in a non traditional style of frosty coconut rum concoctions, an outdoor joyful buffet of food, 9 holes of festive golf, and 16 jolly co-worker backpackers all calling each other family for one day.
We have been informed that we're having a big dinner planned as well as the bar will be open for drinks in the evening. On the down side..I have to work the cafe' for breakfast and lunch Christmas day...though that is quite heartless, it won't go uncelebrated in my own special way.
To everyone; I wish you a very Merry Christmas! Be safe and enjoy.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Pictures
Heres a few more pictures from my stay on the Gold Coast...
This was the view I had from the plane window of the sun creeping up on dawn when I was landing in Brisbane.
The roommates and I took a trip to Mnt. Warning. This mountain is the first place in Australia that you are able to see the sun in the morning.
Ahh..Katelyn worked at Krispy Kreme and is the sole reason I became a closet addict to doughnuts. I've thus been 1 month doughnut free...
One of the first nights out in Surfers with then new roommates.
The view from our top pool and jacuzzi.
The 5 remaining roommates of Magic Mountain apartments. Me, Andree, Tom, Katelyn, and Dave. Good times.
A scenic shot taken at a near by headland that over looks the town of Nobby beach (where I lived) and Surfers Paradise in the background.
Me and Katelyn headed out to go surfing. It was my first time.
I hate surfing.
This was the view I had from the plane window of the sun creeping up on dawn when I was landing in Brisbane.
The roommates and I took a trip to Mnt. Warning. This mountain is the first place in Australia that you are able to see the sun in the morning.
Ahh..Katelyn worked at Krispy Kreme and is the sole reason I became a closet addict to doughnuts. I've thus been 1 month doughnut free...
One of the first nights out in Surfers with then new roommates.
The view from our top pool and jacuzzi.
The 5 remaining roommates of Magic Mountain apartments. Me, Andree, Tom, Katelyn, and Dave. Good times.
A scenic shot taken at a near by headland that over looks the town of Nobby beach (where I lived) and Surfers Paradise in the background.
Me and Katelyn headed out to go surfing. It was my first time.
I hate surfing.
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Some pictures and video...
Well I'm tryin to upload some pictures and videos buts its a hard task after my computer has bitten the dust. But here few I took while I was doing some bushwalks on the island. 
Words really can't explain how wonderful this place is... more pictures soon to come.
Words really can't explain how wonderful this place is... more pictures soon to come.
Snorkeling
I went snorkeling for the first time yesterday. Not only that, but I have officially done it in the Great Barrier Reef. Seeing as how the island is located in the Great Barrier Reef, it wasn’t too much of a struggle to make it happen. It was quite the spur of the moment decision to join Karen (the iAdventure Island’s marketing director) in her adventure. I had always wanted to do it since before I left the states. But now that the opportunity was here…I wasn’t so sure it was something I wanted to do.
You see, this is the time of year when jelly fish heavily populate the waters. When I first arrived and heard about the jelly fish phenomenon, I thought that the whole idea was silly and jelly fish can not but that serious. Everyone I saw in the water has been wearing a stinger suit and almost no one is swimming on the beaches. But I still didn’t think that much of it.
Until one day a fella had been snorkeling off the coast of the island and wasn’t wearing a stinger suit…you guessed it, he was stung. People were searching for white vinegar (that’s what you apply to a sting I ventured) while trying to make sure he was alright. Luckily he was stung by the less poisonous types of jelly fish, needless to say he was fine. I thought maybe this whole jelly fish thing is real…maybe we should be cautious of them.
Then there was a big scare. A few days after that happened one of the boats pulled up to the jetty for the evening. One of the passengers decided to jump into the water to cool off…he was wearing his stinger suit (the full body type, including a hood over his head). But as he jumped in, he was unable see the jelly fish under him and took a sting right on his face. Not just that, but he took a sting from the most deadly kind. This type of jelly fish causes body spasm and severe vomiting, not to mention the awful pain. Poor fella had to be airlifted off the island.
Here I stand on the end of the jetty in my ridiculous one piece dance leotard looking stinger suit, thinking I may be the next one getting air lifted off this island. But I did it anyways, I jumped in. Karen and I were both a little nervous about the whole thing, but she convinced me there wasn’t anything to worry about this particular day. After all, she was Australian and I hoped to God she knew what she was talking about.
We start snorkeling around the dock, among the fish food she throw out to attract fish. That’s great and all, but attracting small fish around can only lead to one thing…bigger fish that are hunting them. I was thinking “Great, if the jellies don’t get me…sure as hell a shark will.” I try to be cool with the whole situation but I’m honestly petrified, looking around every direction trying to spot something sneaking up on me. Low and behold, I hear Karen give a gasp followed by a “OH…WHAT’S THAT?!” I look up to see only a couple meters in front of us is a fin jutting up out of the water. I couldn’t think… swim…anything. I just froze in terror as I see what looks like a dorsal fin rise then fall back down into the water.
“It’s only a Bat fish” Karen said.
Bloody hell, I still think I had a mini heart attack in the water that day.
Besides that, neither of us got stung or eaten whole by a massive bull shark. We snorkeled for a while and I got to see very cool corals and fish that you only see in pictures. They were only an arms length away just swimming along as if you weren’t there. The water wasn’t as clear as it could have been, but I was still able to see the bottom and around all the different corals. The colors ranged from a plain brown to yellow, green, and blue. We were hoping to catch a glimpse of sea turtles that frequent the area, but no such luck. I’d say the whole experience was great fun and a must-do for anyone that comes here.
Will I do it again…definitely…just perhaps not anytime soon…
Joshua
You see, this is the time of year when jelly fish heavily populate the waters. When I first arrived and heard about the jelly fish phenomenon, I thought that the whole idea was silly and jelly fish can not but that serious. Everyone I saw in the water has been wearing a stinger suit and almost no one is swimming on the beaches. But I still didn’t think that much of it.
Until one day a fella had been snorkeling off the coast of the island and wasn’t wearing a stinger suit…you guessed it, he was stung. People were searching for white vinegar (that’s what you apply to a sting I ventured) while trying to make sure he was alright. Luckily he was stung by the less poisonous types of jelly fish, needless to say he was fine. I thought maybe this whole jelly fish thing is real…maybe we should be cautious of them.
Then there was a big scare. A few days after that happened one of the boats pulled up to the jetty for the evening. One of the passengers decided to jump into the water to cool off…he was wearing his stinger suit (the full body type, including a hood over his head). But as he jumped in, he was unable see the jelly fish under him and took a sting right on his face. Not just that, but he took a sting from the most deadly kind. This type of jelly fish causes body spasm and severe vomiting, not to mention the awful pain. Poor fella had to be airlifted off the island.
Here I stand on the end of the jetty in my ridiculous one piece dance leotard looking stinger suit, thinking I may be the next one getting air lifted off this island. But I did it anyways, I jumped in. Karen and I were both a little nervous about the whole thing, but she convinced me there wasn’t anything to worry about this particular day. After all, she was Australian and I hoped to God she knew what she was talking about.
We start snorkeling around the dock, among the fish food she throw out to attract fish. That’s great and all, but attracting small fish around can only lead to one thing…bigger fish that are hunting them. I was thinking “Great, if the jellies don’t get me…sure as hell a shark will.” I try to be cool with the whole situation but I’m honestly petrified, looking around every direction trying to spot something sneaking up on me. Low and behold, I hear Karen give a gasp followed by a “OH…WHAT’S THAT?!” I look up to see only a couple meters in front of us is a fin jutting up out of the water. I couldn’t think… swim…anything. I just froze in terror as I see what looks like a dorsal fin rise then fall back down into the water.
“It’s only a Bat fish” Karen said.
Bloody hell, I still think I had a mini heart attack in the water that day.
Besides that, neither of us got stung or eaten whole by a massive bull shark. We snorkeled for a while and I got to see very cool corals and fish that you only see in pictures. They were only an arms length away just swimming along as if you weren’t there. The water wasn’t as clear as it could have been, but I was still able to see the bottom and around all the different corals. The colors ranged from a plain brown to yellow, green, and blue. We were hoping to catch a glimpse of sea turtles that frequent the area, but no such luck. I’d say the whole experience was great fun and a must-do for anyone that comes here.
Will I do it again…definitely…just perhaps not anytime soon…
Joshua
Friday, December 18, 2009
I must say, one of the more disappointing things that I've noticed so far is the lack of actual Australian friends I've made. It's not that I don't like the Australians I've met, but being a backpacker I've met many other fellow travelers from all over the world.
It's actually odd how it works; people ask me if I've been to Los Vegas, California, Canada, Texas, Niagara Falls, etc...and I never have. Yet those are the top destinations to visit while in the States. Same goes for Oz, I'll ask an Australian about a city and odds are they might not have visited it yet themselves. The idea that people feel the need to travel the globe before they've explored their own backyard is interesting. To think that before I left for Australia, I hadn't been further away than a 2 hour time zone. And now I jet off 15 hours ahead of South Carolinian time. When a 18 year old Eastern European kid has seen the Grand Canyon before I have opens you up to explore more of my own wonderful country. None the less, I have made some great Aussie friends who are just like me.
If I had to describe a typical Australian, I'm not sure it would be anything different than someone I know back home. Sure, they have funny accents and have a love for their dark Bundaberg rum, but I feel like the ones I've met are all good people; people who work hard and have a good time just like everyone else. Though i have met some that are rude, arrogant, dumb or drunk... I know that there are those anywhere you go.
But one thing I have learned about other countries is the openness they have towards others. In America, we definitely have a more closed minded attitude about forgieners entering our country, whereas in Australia they flourish on giving away working visas to bring in people. I think that many more Americans should take advantage in the visas that Australia offers, because trying to get a working visa for the States is nearly impossible. Many Australians I've talked with have tried for years to enter and find legal work, but we just don't offer that option. So it's actually quite an honor for Americans to have the privilege of getting these visas so easily.
Here we go, some Australian words:
Difference in spellings
American - Tire, Color, Center, Yogurt, Mom,
Aussie - Tyre, Colour, Centre, Yoghurt, Mum,
American Aussie
Ketcup, Tomato Sauce
Flashlight, Torch
Dock, Jetty
French Fries, Chips
Swimsuit, Cossie or Boardies
Ground Beef Minced Meat
Mosquito Mossie
Glass (of Beer) Schooner
Windshield Windscreen
Pepper Capsicum
Hood (of a car) Bonnet
Candy Lollie
Cooler Esky
Not to mention everything here is measured in the metric system. Litres for liquids, metres for distance, and kilometres for speed. Its actual very easy after you get the hang of it.
Celsius is still changeling though..
These are just off the top of my head...I'll try to think of more...
- Josh
It's actually odd how it works; people ask me if I've been to Los Vegas, California, Canada, Texas, Niagara Falls, etc...and I never have. Yet those are the top destinations to visit while in the States. Same goes for Oz, I'll ask an Australian about a city and odds are they might not have visited it yet themselves. The idea that people feel the need to travel the globe before they've explored their own backyard is interesting. To think that before I left for Australia, I hadn't been further away than a 2 hour time zone. And now I jet off 15 hours ahead of South Carolinian time. When a 18 year old Eastern European kid has seen the Grand Canyon before I have opens you up to explore more of my own wonderful country. None the less, I have made some great Aussie friends who are just like me.
If I had to describe a typical Australian, I'm not sure it would be anything different than someone I know back home. Sure, they have funny accents and have a love for their dark Bundaberg rum, but I feel like the ones I've met are all good people; people who work hard and have a good time just like everyone else. Though i have met some that are rude, arrogant, dumb or drunk... I know that there are those anywhere you go.
But one thing I have learned about other countries is the openness they have towards others. In America, we definitely have a more closed minded attitude about forgieners entering our country, whereas in Australia they flourish on giving away working visas to bring in people. I think that many more Americans should take advantage in the visas that Australia offers, because trying to get a working visa for the States is nearly impossible. Many Australians I've talked with have tried for years to enter and find legal work, but we just don't offer that option. So it's actually quite an honor for Americans to have the privilege of getting these visas so easily.
Here we go, some Australian words:
Difference in spellings
American - Tire, Color, Center, Yogurt, Mom,
Aussie - Tyre, Colour, Centre, Yoghurt, Mum,
American Aussie
Ketcup, Tomato Sauce
Flashlight, Torch
Dock, Jetty
French Fries, Chips
Swimsuit, Cossie or Boardies
Ground Beef Minced Meat
Mosquito Mossie
Glass (of Beer) Schooner
Windshield Windscreen
Pepper Capsicum
Hood (of a car) Bonnet
Candy Lollie
Cooler Esky
Not to mention everything here is measured in the metric system. Litres for liquids, metres for distance, and kilometres for speed. Its actual very easy after you get the hang of it.
Celsius is still changeling though..
These are just off the top of my head...I'll try to think of more...
- Josh
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Arrival
So since I'm getting a late start on the whole blog thing...i'll occanally throw in some stories about my adventures thus far...
I remember exactly how I felt when Mama put me on the plane. It was a mix between "I'M GOING TO AUSTRALIA!" and "I'm going to Australia???" Yet I was in such a good mood for the entire journey. I was chatting with all the people around me and asking where they were going...in hopes they'd ask me the same, which I proudly stated "I'm moving to Australia for a year." From Atlanta to Brisbane (via Los Angeles) the journey last about 22 hours. It didn't seem as miserable as it sounds, the airline i road with made it quite enjoyable.
Looking out my window I saw Brisbane in the morning sun and was so elated that I was finally here. I don't think I passed anyone without a smile on my face. But my joyfulness was met with an announcement over the luggage carousal for me to come to security. Oh great, I was thinking, this American is about to get locked up abroad. So I walked up to security thinking they'd found my knife in my bag, or something stupid I wasn't suppose to bring with me. The man at security said "Mr. Horton, sorry but your luggage has been left in Los Angeles." Well wonderful. Half way around the world and all I have is my tooth brush, laptop, and a bottle of duty free bourbon. So I started walk around to find a pay phone so I could call mama. But for the life of me I couldn't figure out how the hell to use it. (and neither could any Australian that I asked) Between that, not finding the train station and getting shorted ten bucks on my cash exchanged, my first hour in Australia was slightly stressful.
The first city I called home was Nobby Beach on the Gold Coast of Australia. Hayden, my good buddy from camp took me under his wing and let me stay with him. He showed me around and gave me the basics of Australia. He was such huge help and I'm sure I would have been lost without him.
The following Monday I found my first Australian job. I was going to be working in a bar in Surfers Paradise. And I must say, Surfers Paradise makes Columbia and Clemson's downtown combined seem like a high school party...
Joshua
I remember exactly how I felt when Mama put me on the plane. It was a mix between "I'M GOING TO AUSTRALIA!" and "I'm going to Australia???" Yet I was in such a good mood for the entire journey. I was chatting with all the people around me and asking where they were going...in hopes they'd ask me the same, which I proudly stated "I'm moving to Australia for a year." From Atlanta to Brisbane (via Los Angeles) the journey last about 22 hours. It didn't seem as miserable as it sounds, the airline i road with made it quite enjoyable.
Looking out my window I saw Brisbane in the morning sun and was so elated that I was finally here. I don't think I passed anyone without a smile on my face. But my joyfulness was met with an announcement over the luggage carousal for me to come to security. Oh great, I was thinking, this American is about to get locked up abroad. So I walked up to security thinking they'd found my knife in my bag, or something stupid I wasn't suppose to bring with me. The man at security said "Mr. Horton, sorry but your luggage has been left in Los Angeles." Well wonderful. Half way around the world and all I have is my tooth brush, laptop, and a bottle of duty free bourbon. So I started walk around to find a pay phone so I could call mama. But for the life of me I couldn't figure out how the hell to use it. (and neither could any Australian that I asked) Between that, not finding the train station and getting shorted ten bucks on my cash exchanged, my first hour in Australia was slightly stressful.
The first city I called home was Nobby Beach on the Gold Coast of Australia. Hayden, my good buddy from camp took me under his wing and let me stay with him. He showed me around and gave me the basics of Australia. He was such huge help and I'm sure I would have been lost without him.
The following Monday I found my first Australian job. I was going to be working in a bar in Surfers Paradise. And I must say, Surfers Paradise makes Columbia and Clemson's downtown combined seem like a high school party...
Joshua
Sunday, December 13, 2009
87
Now that you know I’m living in paradise, you must be asking how did I end up here…and what exactly am I doing? In a simple answer, I’m here working on the island in the resort café and kitchen. Obviously the house guests that come to the island need to eat, that’s where I come in. I run the little café that’s here and cook them breakfast and lunch, then for dinner our main kitchen opens and I take orders and deliver their meals.
In exchange for work, I get free meals and accommodation. I work roughly 25 hours a week and live on an island…not too bad. I’m not getting paid, but many places in Australia offer this work-trade-off to backpackers because that’s our biggest expense. Plus, living on an island eliminates your temptation to spend money because you simply have NO WHERE to spend it (besides the resort bar of course!)
The staff is around 20 from owner, to paid staff, to backpacker workers. The island houses the national park and the resort…that’s it. No stores, no shops, no mail, and scarce cell phone service. So clearly we all see each other a lot. Everyone gets along from what I can tell since I’ve been here. Interestingly enough, out of the 20 staff only about 5 are Australian, the rest range from Dutch, Germans, Canadians, and Europeans.
That’s one thing about Australia I find neat, everywhere I go there is always a large number of foreigners from every corner of the globe, doing exactly what I am. Being able to share a room with someone who has been brought up on the other side of the planet is really fascinating to me. What is also amazing is that these people come here and can speak amazing English. Yet not only knowing English and their native tongue, but one or two MORE as well.
Back to the question at hand…How did I end up on the island…where did I find this job?
That is a 87 day long answer…
-Josh
In exchange for work, I get free meals and accommodation. I work roughly 25 hours a week and live on an island…not too bad. I’m not getting paid, but many places in Australia offer this work-trade-off to backpackers because that’s our biggest expense. Plus, living on an island eliminates your temptation to spend money because you simply have NO WHERE to spend it (besides the resort bar of course!)
The staff is around 20 from owner, to paid staff, to backpacker workers. The island houses the national park and the resort…that’s it. No stores, no shops, no mail, and scarce cell phone service. So clearly we all see each other a lot. Everyone gets along from what I can tell since I’ve been here. Interestingly enough, out of the 20 staff only about 5 are Australian, the rest range from Dutch, Germans, Canadians, and Europeans.
That’s one thing about Australia I find neat, everywhere I go there is always a large number of foreigners from every corner of the globe, doing exactly what I am. Being able to share a room with someone who has been brought up on the other side of the planet is really fascinating to me. What is also amazing is that these people come here and can speak amazing English. Yet not only knowing English and their native tongue, but one or two MORE as well.
Back to the question at hand…How did I end up on the island…where did I find this job?
That is a 87 day long answer…
-Josh
Day 86
Day 86 into my Australian adventure and I decide to start a blog. A little late, maybe, but 86 days worth of stories and adventures to share should keep me busy catching up. I figured I should start writing them down now, before I forget them all.
The reasoning I wanted to create a blog instead of perhaps a journal of stories is for a couple of reasons. One is so I don’t have to keep repeating my myself over to my family then again to my friends, meanwhile forgetting who I’ve told what. The second is because I want to share my personal lessons and views of Australia to other Americans.
Since I’ve been here I’ve only met a handful of fellow patriots in this country (half I could have done without). If I’m able to show others back home how great it is to travel in Australia, then hopefully they’d be open experiencing this for themselves.
So on day 86, exactly 12 weeks since I first landed in Australia I now find myself on an island in the south Pacific. The island’s size is small, small enough for a boat to travel the circumference in no more than 15-20 minutes, yet large enough to house large rocky mountains that are apart of an Australian National Park. The park makes exploring the island fun and easy due to the blazed trails that lead to different view points. I’ve personally only done three of the trails so far; Mt. Jefferies, the tallest point on the island with a 360 degree view of the Whitsundays; Balancing Rock, a large rock that…surprise…is balancing on other rocks to form a tall jetting figure that too has incredible views; finally Spion Kop is the third trail I’ve traveled thus far, which is a trial that leads up to the tall rocky east side of the island. There is a platform and stairs that have been constructed to let you look right down on the resort, jetty, and the opaque blue water all around.
Picture never seem to do justice.
Living and working on this island has been a blast and I love every minute of it. The wildlife is neat and the people are entertaining. I have many other things I’ll share, but as long as you’re interested in reading, I’ll keep writing. Like I said, I have many stories thus far I’d like to share, along with the views of what it’s like to live in Australia.
If you’d like to ‘Google Earth’ where I am, type Whitsunday Islands, from there I’m on Adventure Island (Formally South Molle Island).
Josh
The reasoning I wanted to create a blog instead of perhaps a journal of stories is for a couple of reasons. One is so I don’t have to keep repeating my myself over to my family then again to my friends, meanwhile forgetting who I’ve told what. The second is because I want to share my personal lessons and views of Australia to other Americans.
Since I’ve been here I’ve only met a handful of fellow patriots in this country (half I could have done without). If I’m able to show others back home how great it is to travel in Australia, then hopefully they’d be open experiencing this for themselves.
So on day 86, exactly 12 weeks since I first landed in Australia I now find myself on an island in the south Pacific. The island’s size is small, small enough for a boat to travel the circumference in no more than 15-20 minutes, yet large enough to house large rocky mountains that are apart of an Australian National Park. The park makes exploring the island fun and easy due to the blazed trails that lead to different view points. I’ve personally only done three of the trails so far; Mt. Jefferies, the tallest point on the island with a 360 degree view of the Whitsundays; Balancing Rock, a large rock that…surprise…is balancing on other rocks to form a tall jetting figure that too has incredible views; finally Spion Kop is the third trail I’ve traveled thus far, which is a trial that leads up to the tall rocky east side of the island. There is a platform and stairs that have been constructed to let you look right down on the resort, jetty, and the opaque blue water all around.
Picture never seem to do justice.
Living and working on this island has been a blast and I love every minute of it. The wildlife is neat and the people are entertaining. I have many other things I’ll share, but as long as you’re interested in reading, I’ll keep writing. Like I said, I have many stories thus far I’d like to share, along with the views of what it’s like to live in Australia.
If you’d like to ‘Google Earth’ where I am, type Whitsunday Islands, from there I’m on Adventure Island (Formally South Molle Island).
Josh
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