Someone’s Gotta Do It…

Tough day at work today. We set out this morning for a tour of the waterways around Broadwater, leaving Runaway Bay Marina around 9:30AM. We had a short run to our destination – the Southport Yacht Club. We swam in from the boat…OK, some folks took the dinghy in…and had shrimp on the barrrrrrbie. Hahaha. It was a beautiful day and we enjoyed walking along the beach and chatting with our team members and other Rotarians. We are looking forward to a tour of Sea World tomorrow and another vocational day, followed by a presentation at the Surfer’s Paradise Rotary Club tomorrow evening!

-MJ

Life is good in Ballendean, QLD!

What a beautiful place - Ballendean!  I’m located about 900m (2700′) above sea level and the weather here is terriffic.  Warm days, cool nights, low humidity.  Ballendean is in the “Granite Belt” of Queensland – similar to Mt. Airy – and is home to a number of wine grape vineyards and wineries.  Yes…I’ve tried them…and yes…they ARE good.   I spent about 2 hours yesterday in the vineyard picking grapes…which was AWESOME!  Today, we visited a celery and lettuce farm, which was really cool.  I even got to sample some of the celery fresh from the field.  Tomorrow, we leave for Tenterfield, about 20km to the southwest or about a 30 minute drive.  I have really enjoyed my host family who have been very kind to me and very understanding of my need for some rest.  Somehow, I have developed a head cold and that is throwing me for a bit of a loop.  I have my own little cottage that my host family uses as a B&B and it is extremely comfortable.  Too bad I can’t move here!  Well – I am hopeful that I can update more soon…depending on my internet connection.  Talk to you soon!

-MJ

The first week…

The first week has been fantastic! I am already exhausted….so much for pacing myself! I have been staying with Chris at our hosts house (Peter and Barb) and they are delightful! So many stories to tell! Interent is a little less prevalent than in the States, but our hosts have been gracious enough to allow us to plug in – when our tired bones will let us! After quick calls to home via Skype, we have little time to write on the blog! Adding the photos takes quite some time, because of the type of connections we have – but I will try to add a few here and there! The weather is warm, the friends we have made will last a lifetime, and the country is beautiful! Will write more when I can – but we are headed further out into the bush (countryside) and I expect internet to be quite spotty. Will get back online when I can!

-MJ

Escarpment near Springbrook, QLD

A Few Photos!

Just a few photos…will write and show more tomorrow!

                      

Australia’s Gold Coast

Australia’s Gold Coast?  Where’s that ya say?  Basically, we’re going to an area just south of Brisbane…and split between Queensland and New South Wales.  For those who are geographically challenged, here’s a map.

GSE Team

The GSE Team from District 7690 (Piedmont, USA) will be departing for Australia’s Gold Coast on March 17th!  Preparations have been ongoing for several months now and we have our presentations, our travel documents, our itinerary and are ready to depart for our monthlong visit to the land of OZ.  Evidently, “Oz” is another word for “Australia”, as a shortened form of “Ozstralia”, refering to how the Aussies pronounce it!  Hence, the name of this blog “NC to OZ”.  Since I’ve explained that, perhaps I should explain the “Off to see the Lizard” reference.  As an avid Jimmy Buffett fan, I sometimes look to his work for inspiration.  One song in particular caught my eye, as it best explains my feelings at this point in the game.  Here’s an excerpt: 

I’m turning off the waterfall the tourists can go home
I feel it time to travel take time to write a poem
Time to seek some therapy I’m going walkabout
Answers are the easy part, questions raise the doubt

As a public employee,  I spend a lot of time dealing with “interesting” questions and situations!  So, I’m turnig off those waterfalls for a while, taking some time to travel, write, learn, and submerse myself in Aussie culture.  I’m certainly going walkabout and I’m gonna try to avoid difficult questions for a while.  So, as Mr. Buffett says - while it’s afternoon 9,000 miles away and others are dealing with those jobs,chores, and questions, I’ll be be taking my chances on the far side of the world.  After all,  all that will still be there when I get done attending this soiree!  – M. Johnson, Greensboro, NC, 3/2/2010