Leaving the Tropics

After the wildlife adventure at the Great Barrier Reef, it was time to head back south. Our trip back to Brisbane was a much quicker journey as we had to catch a flight back to Sydney, but we still had time for some amazing sights.

After a sleepover in Mackay (said "MacKie"), we made our way down to Bundaberg. Bundaberg is only 10 minutes away from the most accessible turtle laying beach in the world. We were lucky enough to sneek into a viewing when others cancelled. When the sun started to set, we made our way to Mon Repos Beach to begin the vigil.  Only 300 people are allowed each evening and they are given a sticker with the group that they are in. There are only 75 people in each group and each group is allowed down to the beach as a turtle comes up to lay eggs, or, if you are lucky enough, a hatching. The Bendfelds ended up in the final group, so we could be down on the beach by 9 p.m. or 2 a.m., depending on when the turtles' decided to come up to the beach. Thankfully we all had books to read, and I even began to watch a movie. The turtles also came up fast and furious this night, and we were gathered up for our trip to beach at around 9:30 p.m.

It was a beautiful evening with a full moon shining down upon the water and lighting the beach up like it was midday. It was so bright you could see halfway down the beach. We walked about 500m down the beach and came upon our turtle. The turtles dig a hole into the sand using their flippers and then lay anywhere from 80 to 300 eggs. Our turtle lay just under 100. She had been to the beach a couple of other times and is relatively young (as turtles go). The volunteers and scientists measure each turtle and do various tests to check age, health and other factors that will help in conservation in the future.

As soon as the scientists were done and our turtle finished laying her eggs, it was time for her to make her way back to the ocean. It took her about 15 minutes to get her way to the ocean. Our group created an honor guard to watch her make her way to the waves and back out to sea. Once she was gone, it was time to count the eggs and then we got to move them! She had made her nex too close to the tide line and it would be in danger of high tides. Saving the world one turtle egg at a time! It was an absolutely fantastic evening. If you are ever in the area, I highly recommend it. Unfortunately we missed the first hatching of the year by 24 hours. Maybe next time.

Tracks down to the ocean

The eggs

 Mom and I moving the eggs

After a short sleep, we were off an running again, but not very far. That morning we went to the Bundaberg Rum Distillery. Not only did you get a tour of th edistillery, but there were drinks at the end of the tour as well. Dad and I both had some rum before noon. Gotta love vacations! Mom was good and only had some liquer before we were on our way again.

That night saw us in Brisbane again, after a couple of stops to see Big Things again. This time there were pineapples, snakes and rum bottles. I thought Alberta loved their Big Things, but I think that Australia is even worse off for them.

With only a short time in Brisbane, Mom, Dad and I headed for the Southbank (after finding a hotel that ensuite bathrooms as our first choice did not) for some dinner. We walked along the river and found a Greek restaurant that something for everyone (including dad). We then headed back to the hotel ready for the next day.

The next day was spent with the family of one of Uncle Colin's best friends, Drew. We'd met Drew's sister Sharon last Christmas and called her up to see if we could meet up with her and he rmom and dad for the day.W e drove down to the coast to see them and had a wonderful day. Drew's mom took us for a tourist drive and we stopped to have some lunch. When we got back to the house it was time to order some pizza, get out the drinks and have a little party. We didn't leave until dark and then had to go back for Dad's hat. W did say that we would visit again soon. WE didn't want to break any promises. It was a great end to our trip to Queensland.

The next day it was to the airport once again to hop on a flight to Sydney and then head home to Canberra via Bondi Beach for Australia Day. As we flew into Sydney, we got a great view of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House. That was the best part of our morning as when we got to my car we found the battery dead. I had to dole out some cash to join NRMA so that we could get a boost. It is my lot in life to have car trouble before going to Bondi Beach. Two times in row now this has happened to me. The day was nice at Bondi, even though the water was colder than in Queensland, and we had a nice walk in the surf, watching the surfers. Then it was back home to Canberra.