Fraser Island

I get confused on here with what entry shows first, which pictures come first, so bear with me!

Fraser was the highlight of my trip. It is hard to pick out the things I liked best about Australia because each experience was different, but each one fell into the catagory of fun in the sea and sun :)

However, Fraser for me held something special.

From camping steps away from the beach, to driving everywhere in a 4x4 vehicle, the experience was unique. I swam in glorious crystal clear lakes, hiked to (nearly broke my toe) and swam in a marvelous emerald colored lake (a first for me!). The most magnificent place on the island is the champagne pools. These are ocean pools created by the waves that slosh over the rocks that make a circular formation like a swimming pool. There are several of them together varying in size and temperature. I have never seen anything like that in my life!

Lugging emotional baggage that confronted me at every turn ( traveling with the source), challenged me and resulted in a different vacation than I had anticipated. Fraser Island was where I felt most at peace.

One morning I awoke to a brilliant sunrise around 4:30am, and decided to drink it in. I could see the sun coming up over the ocean from my tent. I happily skipped down to the water in my tank top and underwear, leaving behind stress and hurts with every step. I have never been one to delight in the rising and setting of the sun, preferring to frolic when the sun is at her best, but this morning I was moved. I gathered shells, wrote messages in the sand, appreciating where I was and daydreaming of the joys that lay ahead.

It worked!

The single picture posted, looking through the trees, and the tents are of camping on South Molle Island. I spent one night here after being dropped off by boat. There was one other couple on the island in addition to myself and my friend, so I felt a little safer. I felt a little bit like I was on Survivor, as it was truly deserted! I relaxed, read books, ate, and swam. A very enjoyable experience.

On my birthday, I went on a helicopter ride, rode a jet ski, and went for an hour tour through the rainforest on a quad bike. I have posted a picture of the helicopter and an aerial view. Such an adventurous day! I was quite tired by end from being physically and emotionally spent. There was so much adrenaline pumping! I enjoyed everything but would have to say that the bike was my favorite. I was on the tour with a bunch of testosterone infested young men, which inspired me to try harder, go faster, and not be the girl left behind. I did really well, was proud of myself, and felt pretty cool too!

The picture of the water surrounded by trees is the Lagoon in Airlie Beach. Since the ocean is filled with stingers (jelly fish), all swimming is done in the Lagoon. Fine by me! It is a beautiful place in the center of town complete with sand, so you do actually feel like you are at the beach. I spent part of every day here during my stay in Airlie.

The last picture of me was taken on Fraser Island, World Heritage Site. That place is like a dream. Sometimes I felt as though I was on a movie set, things seems so surreal. It has a an incredible beauty I've not yet encountered anywhere else. I am standing in front of a beached ship wreck.

More on Fraser Island in the next post...

Posting from school

Attempting to post from school, let's see if it works...