On the Road Again pt. 2

The next night was quiet and tranquil. Well it was until some moron on a dirtbike decided that he was going to go tearing through the forest in the middle of the night although, it was a nice change from the wombats shaking the car from the night before.  In the morning there was still no one on my beach so I sat and had breakfast and read till some people showed up. I then moved on and headed towards Eden.

A little later in the day I felt a headache coming on so I found a nice park to camp at that was far from the road but just above Eden. It was a perfect place to just wait out the pain. Next morning I went to the Killer Whale Museum.

This is Old Tom

Back in the day whales were hunted for their blubber to turn into oil for everything from bicycle lubricant to light. While this sounds sad I find it incredible that the men that hunted the whales were even successful. They would go after these huge whales in the little wooden rowboats, then one of the rowers would try and harpoon the whale when they got close enough. It must have been terrifying. The unique part of Eden’s history is the killer whales. They worked with the whalers to help them catch other whales in exchange for the killer whales’ favorite parts to eat (lips and tung). The killer whales would coral a whale into Two Fold Bay then send one of their team to alert the whalers and then lead the whalers to where they had the corralled whale for them to kill. Old Tom was the leader for this team of killer whales and sometimes he would even pull on the harpoon ropes to help out the whalers.

After Eden I went and spent the weekend in Noojee (beautiful rainforest where they have so many off roading tracks!). I started on a trail and was taking it slow when as I was crossing a bridge a kangaroo jumped out behind the guardrail and I had no time to stop; the kangaroo got hit. I was in shock but the kangaroo just kept going. I figured it was a sign that maybe I shouldn’t go off much further and made camp next to the river just below Toorongo Falls. The area is so cool. It has trails marked all over the place and even has special parking for motorcycle trailers. It is an off roaders heaven.

I spent my last night just south of Alexandra along side a river and next to some cows. There were some friendly fellow travelers and we enjoyed the evening talking over coffee. It was a perfect end to my week.

"It feels good to be lost in the right direction" -somebody

I was lost a LOST this trip but I found such beautiful places and had the road almost always to myself. It was such a strange and new feeling but it was also very nice.

Noojee Historic trestle bridge

This weeks update

the kangaroos are behind the cows

     Surfing wise I haven't gotten very far. I've been out a total of three times. 1st time I did ok. 2nd time I stood up. 3rd time the waves were huge, the current strong, and my arms were weak. I paddled out as much as I could but I knew I wouldn't make it out and back to shore without hurting myself.  I think the best part of that day was the dog I met. I seem to really miss how back home we have pets everywhere. 

     I FINALLY got my bank account sorted out. Many thanks to my parents for that.  Who knew that in this day and age my bank in the states couldn't transfer money to an overseas account.  It's crazy! The solution turned out to be sort of easy.  I just got a cash advance from my US card to my AU account.  Not to bad but the banks don't seem to want to work together. I was in the bank so much all the employees began to recognize me even over the phone!

     I'm still car shopping. I'll write a post about that when it is all done. Or maybe I will just write a book it seems to be so difficult and taking so long.

     I got a job! It is just for a few days while I am still in Noosa but a bit extra money is nice.   I went with Geoff to one of his skipper jobs to take a ride up the river on a Dinner cruise boat. When the owner found out I was a waitress he offered me a job to cover for one of his waitress. How could I say no? The boat is nice, the river is beautiful and I could definitely use some cash. So I showed up two days later for my shift and my new boss showed me a bit behind the bar and in the kitchen. We set up for the party (a late afternoon cruise) and got to work. For a first day it went great. Everyone was nice and cheerful. I work again tonight with a bigger party and other staff. We will see how it goes. I'm nervous as usual when doing something new.

"Not all those who wander are lost" -JRR Tolkien
It may be that not everyone who wanders is lost, but I often am.