Arrived at Rydges Holiday Reort near Yeppoon - place was very hyped up but resembles a Butlins holiday camp with humidity!! perhaps we enjoy the smaller resorts and organising ourselves, think this place is designed for the "package holiday all-inclusives" holidaymakers who dont want to move too far from the complex - not our preference!
Yeppoon seems a strange almost backwoods type place, plus the fact we are on the edge of a monsoon weather system so a fair sprinkling of raindrops forecast for our stay.
By the way the mosquitoe bites were sand fly bites!! still very itchy.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Bowen Mangoes
Yesterday we travelled to Agnes Water which is twinned with the Town of 1770, very quiet resorts on the Capricorn coasts, our accommodation is excellent, self contained villa in a resort, we come out of our back door through the gate and into the pool, fantastic. Had a dip this morning.
Yesterday while travelling here were looking out for local fruit stalls and saw one for Bowen Mangoes as recommended by Susan stopped, but none left, apart from the honesty box. As we were walking away the farmer came running out and said they were all sold, but he did have some in his barn - so we followed him, he told us all about the growing of mangoes, and gave us a huge bag, and refused any payment. Well they are beautiful, if we eat any more mangoes we'll turn into one!!! Last night we had local fish and prawns on the bbq which was delicious. Today just chilling, then back on the road again tomorrow up to Yeppoon.
Yesterday while travelling here were looking out for local fruit stalls and saw one for Bowen Mangoes as recommended by Susan stopped, but none left, apart from the honesty box. As we were walking away the farmer came running out and said they were all sold, but he did have some in his barn - so we followed him, he told us all about the growing of mangoes, and gave us a huge bag, and refused any payment. Well they are beautiful, if we eat any more mangoes we'll turn into one!!! Last night we had local fish and prawns on the bbq which was delicious. Today just chilling, then back on the road again tomorrow up to Yeppoon.
Friday, February 8, 2008
Fraser Island
A 7.50 pickup outside Le Mer took us to the ferry over to Fraser Island - a World Heritage listed site - the largest sand island in the World.
The 1 hour ferry took us straight to the beach, and we transferred to a high wheelbase 4wd vehicle with an extremely knowledgeable driver/guide who took us to lakes, streams, beaches and rainforests over some very bumpy bone jarring trucks (note- only 4wd vehicles allowed on the island as there are no solid roads - only sand tracks - not good for those with travel sickness problems - we moved from back of bus to the front - a lot better)
the driver/guide was also the chef who cooked our very nice lunch of griddled whiting in garlic butter, sald and new potatoes, washed down with some very drinkable Chardonnay!
The tour/excursion/expedition (call it what you like!!) also included afternoon tea and fruit and cakes further round the island which rounded off an extremely enjoyable and education day.
The weather was glorious all day until we were nearly back in Hervey Bay where we saw a black cloud and there was a shower.
Today Friday we're back on the Road again next stop Agnes Waters.
Thanks for all the Mosquitoe bite tips, strange they dont go for Chris!!!
The 1 hour ferry took us straight to the beach, and we transferred to a high wheelbase 4wd vehicle with an extremely knowledgeable driver/guide who took us to lakes, streams, beaches and rainforests over some very bumpy bone jarring trucks (note- only 4wd vehicles allowed on the island as there are no solid roads - only sand tracks - not good for those with travel sickness problems - we moved from back of bus to the front - a lot better)
the driver/guide was also the chef who cooked our very nice lunch of griddled whiting in garlic butter, sald and new potatoes, washed down with some very drinkable Chardonnay!
The tour/excursion/expedition (call it what you like!!) also included afternoon tea and fruit and cakes further round the island which rounded off an extremely enjoyable and education day.
The weather was glorious all day until we were nearly back in Hervey Bay where we saw a black cloud and there was a shower.
Today Friday we're back on the Road again next stop Agnes Waters.
Thanks for all the Mosquitoe bite tips, strange they dont go for Chris!!!
Hervey Bay
On Wednesday we drove 3 hours up the coast to Hervey Bay, and we booked ourselves into Le Mer Apartments, a lovely block of self contained units with poolside verandah - salf water pool and spa pool very invigorating after a leisurley stroll along the deserted beaches and esplanade of Hervey Bay
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
The Ginger Factory
Thanks to Susan & Simon for the suggestion about the Ginger Factory, thats where we went yesterday at Yandina. Interesting trip, and fascinating to see the processes used to make ginger products, with a good shop. Onwards and Upwards today off to Hervey Bay, weather better today sun shining - lots of flooding in the Brisbane area though, but it is helping the drought situation. Looks as though weather could be improving in the next few days, but as in the UK and France the weather forecasters never quite get it right!!!
We've booked an all day trip to Fraser Island tomorrow, so hopefully will be fine, not too hot though, and not too many Mosquitoes - they just love me (Sue!!) even though I spray repellant repeatedly - any hints or tips?
We've booked an all day trip to Fraser Island tomorrow, so hopefully will be fine, not too hot though, and not too many Mosquitoes - they just love me (Sue!!) even though I spray repellant repeatedly - any hints or tips?
Monday, February 4, 2008
Lazy Days
We've had a couple of lazy days sunbathing yesterday as the weather was glorious on Sunshine Beach, then a beer in the Surf Club, but the sea is not to be trusted, the girl next to us was just sitting at the waters edge and got stung by a jelly fish, not pleasant.
Today Monday it was pouring with rain this morning, but hot, this afternoon was a lot better and we went to a beach the opposite side of the river to where we're staying, we were just commenting our tranquil it was when everyone seemed to arrive, it was still very quiet.
Wednesday we are on the move again off to Hervey Bay and a visit to Fraser Island.
Today Monday it was pouring with rain this morning, but hot, this afternoon was a lot better and we went to a beach the opposite side of the river to where we're staying, we were just commenting our tranquil it was when everyone seemed to arrive, it was still very quiet.
Wednesday we are on the move again off to Hervey Bay and a visit to Fraser Island.
Saturday, February 2, 2008
HOLY GUACAMOLE!!
G'day cobber, sport,bruce, etc. etc. today was our trip to Australia Zoo - it had to be done, everyone told us so!! the Zoo was founded and inspired by the late iconic Steve Irwin, it was only about 20miles drives from Maroochydore, (we actually followed one of the courtesy buses so we would'nt get lost)
The whole place is very aestheticly planned and devised, lots of the animals are human friendly i.e kangaroos, koalas, wallabies (plus a small kids petting area) but obviously the live displays in the Crocoseseum were well attended with some salient advice about the crocodiles! which we will follow to the letter!! It was perhaps one of the better laid out zoos with a strong environmental and conservation message
Today Saturday was very soggy first thing which was a pity as we visited one of the best open-air markets we've experience at Eumundi. Literally hundreds of stalls90% were actually home-made or crafted goods with lots of individual identities which was refreshing to see.
In the afternoon it brigghtened up considerably - i.e. stopped raining! and we had a chilled out time at Coolum beach, feasting on our picnic watching the surfers and bathers enjoy the mid afternoon sea - feels like we're on holiday!!
Something we keep forgetting to mention in Europe when its Summer we have lovely long light evenings in France in June until 10.00 pm, but here it gets dark by 7.00pm which feels very strange.
The whole place is very aestheticly planned and devised, lots of the animals are human friendly i.e kangaroos, koalas, wallabies (plus a small kids petting area) but obviously the live displays in the Crocoseseum were well attended with some salient advice about the crocodiles! which we will follow to the letter!! It was perhaps one of the better laid out zoos with a strong environmental and conservation message
Today Saturday was very soggy first thing which was a pity as we visited one of the best open-air markets we've experience at Eumundi. Literally hundreds of stalls90% were actually home-made or crafted goods with lots of individual identities which was refreshing to see.
In the afternoon it brigghtened up considerably - i.e. stopped raining! and we had a chilled out time at Coolum beach, feasting on our picnic watching the surfers and bathers enjoy the mid afternoon sea - feels like we're on holiday!!
Something we keep forgetting to mention in Europe when its Summer we have lovely long light evenings in France in June until 10.00 pm, but here it gets dark by 7.00pm which feels very strange.
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