Mooloolaba

It was hard leaving the Whitsundays knowing the beauty they posses. Although I had sadness in my heart, I knew I still had such an amazing adventure ahead of me. Next stop: Mooloolaba.

It's a funny name, Mooloolaba. This little surfer town is about two hours out of Brisbane on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland. When I first landed in Brisbane it was pouring rain. And I don't mean pouring like "oh grab your umbrella so you don't get wet" I mean like pouring rain. Like raining great danes and felines. Like start your underground shelter before you get over turned by a tidal wave and swept off to Timbuktu.It was POURING! I first felt relief because I just about gave myself melanoma with all the sun I was getting. But then again, I still wanted nice weather to tour around in. Just my luck once I reached Mooloolaba-- after a long, dreadfully awkward shuttle bus ride with only the driver and me-- the sun began to show it's face once again. I was seriously chasing sun the whole entire time. It would be unbelievably gorgeous during the day and then cool down at night and rain so we weren't scorching at night. Best of both worlds.

The first day in Mooloolba was my lazy day. After meeting my two increadibly nice roommates, Caro and Linette, Caro and I hit the beach. We stayed out all day, worked on a bit more of a tan (like I needed it) and swam in the beautiful waters of the Sunshine Coast. It was such a nice day. There was something weird in the water that prevented us from staying in too long. It almost felt like millions of little critters were nipping at us the whole time we were in the water. It wasn't very comfortable. So we just laid on the beach chatting about life.

Now, I couldn't go to the Sunshine Coast without taking my very dear friend, Steve Irwin, back to his home zoo. I packed up with my friend Pedro and his girlfriend and we treked off to the zoo. My goodness it was such a beautiful day. So hot and lovely. The zoo was amazing. I got to pet a kangaroo and a koala and even feed an elephant. The crocodile show was also amazing. I can't believe people would put themselves that close to such a dangerous animal. It was more than spectacular. I managed to see the whole zoo and all
the animals. All with skipping the snakes of course.

I absolutely loved staying at the hostel. Mooloolaba Backpackers is where it is at. There were so many nice loving people and there was always something to do. Like BBQ's, pong nights (beer and goon), swim, watch movies, chat. It was spectacular. I got to learn how to paddle board FOR FREEE!! It was so much fun! One night Linette and I went out with some of her really good friends and we just had such a good time! Her friends were so nice and kind and fun to be around, minus the crying 18 year old drunk girls, but we managed to lose them eventually. Whoops!

After a couple more lazy days, my friend Spencer met up with me again and we had such a good time catching up. We went to the beach, without the nipping critters this time, and spent a few hours just jumping and playing in the waves. Afterwards we went for a long walk and chatted for a good three hours. I am honored to say now that he is one of my good friends and I will never forget the short time we got to spend together on our travels. Plus now I have a place to stay in England -- right Spencer?

Mooloolaba was such a great place filled with gems. Full of bike rides and beach bums. Full of rain storms and sunny skies. Full of social nights and chatting strangers. I loved every minute. I loved every person. I can say it was definitely and totally amazing as.