Surfer's Paradise, Byron Bay and Coffs Harbour

Mo here,

Once arriving in Surfer's Paradise on the Gold Coast we didn't have much time to relax (again) before having to go out for dinner. Then after dinner we went out to enjoy the nightlife of the city. Some of us who were going skydiving in the morning decided to pull an all-nighter and watch the sunrise since we had to be up at 6AM to catch the bus anyway.

Canadian crew on tour: Randy, Ashley, Shyla and I

Surfer's Paradise waking up

After the sun rose I had a quick shower and left for the Gold Coast Skydive place. I signed my life away for the third time, suited up, had a small lesson, and before I knew it I was in a plane going up 14,000 feet above the beach. What an amazing view! I sat with my instructor strapped to me in the  emergency exit row seat waiting for the green light. Except this time I would actually be using the exit to leave the plane. Once the light came on I sat in the door and we pushed off the plane and fell towards the earth in a controlled spiral. We free-fell for about 30 seconds and then had about a 2 minute parachute flight to the drop zone on the beach. I have a video of the entire flight which I will upload with the bunjy jump when I get free unlimited internet somewhere.

After the skydive we headed back to the hotel. I slept for 7 hours, laid out by the pool, had some dinner and went out into town again for the night. In the morning we were up early and went to the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary where we saw all kinds of aussie animals and I held a koala as well!

After the wildlife sanctuary we drove to the lighthouse at Byron Bay which is located at the most eastern point of the Australian mainland. 

Once in Byron Bay we had a pretty chill night just hanging out on our balcony overlooking the streets below.

New friends from Saskatchewan and UK

In the morning we had a decent breakfast, hung out at the beach (which is becoming more and more routine now) and left in the afternoon for Mojo's Surf Camp in Coff's Harbour for Christmas Eve Day. We dropped our bags in our rooms which were shipping containers and went for a surf lesson. We were taught how to lay on the board, paddle and get up before going into the water. Once in the water, it hit me that we were spending Christmas Eve surfing with the most amazing people in an amazing town. Oh and a pod of dolphins swam up to us to play around in the water. Merry Christmas indeed!!!

That night we had a wonderful Christmas Eve dinner and celebrated with all the people at the Surf Camp!

In the morning I woke up in my glorious shipping container and opened a card I got from my mom. Inside was a picture of my sisters and I during Christmas in 1994! Made me miss everybody back home.

Anyway now for the long drive to Sydney on Christmas Day.

Mo out.

Cattle Station, Fraser Island and Noosa

Mo here,

After the Whitsundays we drove quite far to a 26,000 acre farm in the middle of nowhere called the Cattle Station Ranch. It was a good time and refreshing to be away from the big cities. We learned how to crack a whip and had a karaoke dance night. I wasn't feeling too well, still felt like I was on a sailboat and felt woozy. Was pretty fun to watch the gang sing away.

In the morning we drove to Fraser Island which is the largest all sand island in the world. That night we had dinner by the water and watched the sunset. In the morning we went on an all day 4wd tour through the island. We went to a fresh water lake called Lake McKenzie which was also refreshing to be away from the salt water. After the swim we were supposed to drive further down the beach for a rainforest walk but our 4wd truck's steering rack broke and we were literally stranded on the island. We ended up having to walk 4.5km toward the ferry pick up in the scorching sun. Not fun but quite the adventure.

The island is also known as having the most pure breed of dingos but the population is dwindling. Just as we were leaving on the ferry we spotted one on the banks. Kind of a day saver seeing that dingo after all that walking.

Since we were late getting to the ferry we were late getting into Noosa. Just had a quick late dinner and went to sleep that night. In the morning we went to a beautiful beach with big waves to mess around in. We had a nice lunch and then went to Brisbane. Really cool city with sweet older and new buildings. Did some shopping there and then left for surfers paradise on the gold coast. Post to follow.

Mo out.

Sailing the Whitsundays

Mo here,

Sorry for the long wait. Haven't had any access to wifi in 3 days.

After a long drive from Cairns we made it to Airlie Beach ready for our sailing tour in the Whitsundays. Those of us that chose to go sailing were split up in two boats and we sailed off into the horizon. We sailed into the wind with the boat tilting up to 60 degrees at times, which was fun if you were up top on deck but dangerous [more fun] if you were down below. After a couple hours of sailing we anchored in a little bay near one of the islands. We had some wobbly pops at night and had a dance party on deck under the moonlight.

The next morning we sailed over to Whitehaven Beach which is the 3^rd most beautiful beach in the world. Amazing views, whitest and softest sand ever, and being in good company made it a WOW experience.







I was fortunate to be in the half of the group that frequently applied sunscreen and didn’t burn to a crisp. Later that afternoon we sailed over to another cove and went snorkeling about. I was on a mission to find Nemo since I didn’t see a clown fish at the Great Barrier Reef.  Mission unsuccessful but I did find a massive clam [I think, not sure what exactly it was]. Back on the sailboat we sailed back around some other islands and anchored up in the bay near Airlie Beach.

That night we had another dance party and our Captain brought out some face paint, which brought things to a new level. We managed to convince the Captain to put some on his face too. After a long night we were up early to head back to the harbour and get back on the coach bus headed for the Cattle Station Ranch.

Mo out.

Cairns, QLD

Mo here,

After arriving at the hotel in Cairns we had our kick-off meeting and met the gang. The next morning we woke up and took a ferry out to a portion of the Great Barrier Reef. We spent the day there snorkeling, scuba diving, swimming, etc.

With over 3000 species of fish and 500 species of coral, the reef was an awesome experience. A couple of us who were in the water early to snorkel were lucky enough to swim around with a white tip shark. I was fortunate to snap a picture too.

After snorkeling a group of us went down for an introductory scuba lesson. At first it was uncomfortable getting used to the pressure differences but was enjoyable swimming deep around the reef.

That night we had dinner where most of us tried kangaroo for the first time. Tasted quite good actually. After dinner we did a pub-crawl around the city where things got a little messy. Some people champed it out until 6AM just in time for the 7AM coach departure for Super Sunday.

Super Sunday was a big day for most people. Some people went skydiving, others went white water rafting while I decided to go bungy jumping. We were dropped off at the famous AJ Hackett Cairns Bungy site with a 50m bungy jump. Video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7VQntZu69A

I remember thinking for a split second after jumping: Oh [expletive], what have I just done, is this it for me? But then adrenaline kicked in and sooner than I knew it I was submerged under water and coming to a bouncing rest. Later that night we had a dinner on our own and some of us paid another visit the craziest bar in Cairns known as Gilligan’s.

Early this morning [Monday] we were up and at it at 5:30AM to catch the coach and head down the coast to the Whitsundays islands for a two day sailing tour. Post to follow on Wednesday aussie time.

Mo out.

Thank-You Mr. Fisher

Mo here,

3 flights, 8 episodes of Breaking Bad, 3 movies, 4 meals, 6 beers, 2 crosswords, several naps and 27 hours later I have made it to Cairns. Feels like I’ve been hit by a truck. Would have been a much bigger truck had it not been for Mr. Fisher.

The first leg of the WFOTY from Toronto to Vancouver was rough. I was in a tight seat for 5 hours with a washroom behind me and a reclined lady in front. Cramped and unable to sleep I was wondering how I was going to survive the 17 hour flight to Sydney.  I needed a seat change.

After disembarking in Vancouver I noticed a tall guy standing at the help desk, so I walked over and overheard the agent telling him that as a member of the airline he could go to the lounge to request a seat change. I asked the man if he could help me out in anyway and he said “follow me”. We walked into the Air Canada Lounge like we owned the place, he introduced himself as Mr. Fisher to the agent and me as his guest. As a super double platinum black diamond member Mr. Fisher was upgraded to business class and I was given his old seat at the bulkhead row with all the legroom and space a man could ask for. Thank-you Mr. Fisher.

It didn’t end there. While waiting for our flight to be ready to Sydney Mr. Fisher and I enjoyed various salads, soups, pastas, snacks and an open bar. This lounge was stocked! Too bad we only had time for a couple drinks. 

Needless to say the second leg from Vancouver to Sydney was a lot better. The free beers with my dinner of champions was also a nice touch. Breakfast was alright too. 

The third leg from Sydney to Cairns was again cramped but was only a 3 hour flight. Took a shuttle to the hotel, showered up and kicked off the tour with a dinner downtown. Cairns excursions to follow on next post. 

Mo out. 

Pre-Christmas with the Family

Mo here,

The days are winding down until the worst flight of the year (WFOTY). 5 days to be exact. Not looking forward to it, but am looking forward to being in sunny Cairns. In the meantime I have been having pre-Christmas celebrations with the family before I leave. Wednesday was Christmas at Mom and John's house. Had a delicious dinner and unwrapped some gifts. I received new luggage, just what I needed! How did you know??

Then went to Dad and Cathy's with the sisters on Thursday night. Had another lovely dinner  and opened stockings and gifts. They gave me a Team Canada hockey jersey which I will bring to show my colours on the trip. Go Juniors!

All that is left to do before the WFOTY is to gather some last minute things, pack everything up and say bye to friends and family. I will hopefully post again when I am waiting around in the airport.

Mo out.

Countdown Is On!

Mo here,

So I am going to Australia, leaving Toronto, ON December 11, 2013 and returning January 11, 2014. I will be doing a two week Contiki tour from Cairns, QLD to Sydney, NSW, then meeting Cass and visiting friends in Blayney/Orange, NSW. We will be staying in Sydney for New Years and then travelling to Melbourne, VIC for a total driving distance of about 4000 km. I decided to write this blog to keep friends and family updated as well as for my own memories.

I have 12 days left at work and 16 days until departure. Starting to stress since it seems like there are so many things to do before I leave. Should probably make a TO DO list but that is the first item on my hypothetical TO DO list, weird how that works. I'm sure everything will work out. Can't wait!!

Anyway, please feel free to comment with tips/suggestions/things to do while I'm away.

Mo out.