home

Well, I lied to my friends and family for months about going to New Zealand for Christmas. I never intended of actually going to NZ. All along my plan was to come home for Christmas and surprise everyone, most importantly my family. Details of my return never made it to Canada, which made the surprise just as I had invisioned it to be.

I had the surprise recorded, which can be viewed here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0H_REhL4DD0

From the time my alarm went off, to the time I rolled into Drew's driveway,(where I hid out for the first night) I had been travelling for about 38 hours. It involved lots of naps, hanging out in Hong Kong, a bump up to business class, and a sigh of relief when the plane landed in Vancouver.

I had a terrific time on my travels, but home is just about the next best thing. I met some awesome people, some of whom I will be friends with for life. I will keep these memories with me forever.

Thank you for reading.

my new hat

On the last night in Byron Bay, I acquired a hat from one of the aussie guy's that was staying at the hostel. My intention, was to try to buy it off him before I left, but he was no where to be found before I left. So, I got a new hat. I've been wearing it out in Sydney, and the girls just can't seem to keep there hands off it. My new friend Cristian, calls it a 'magic' hat.

Cristian is half Italian, and half German, but lives in Germany. Although, if you met him, you would thinks he was 100% Italian. He's pretty much the only person I've hung out with the last three days. We both checked into the room at the same time, and I later found out that it was his very first day in Australia, and his very first day outside Europe. He's 27, but you wouldn't know it. He's here for 3 weeks before flying to America, and South America.

Today, we were out shopping because he forgot to bring a beach towel from home. I was walking in front, and I guess at some point he had stopped. "Steve!" he yelled. I turned around, as did many other people in the mall, and I walked over to where he was. Well. He was squatting down, looking at speedo's. Now, I have never been speedo shopping, nor have I been around when someone else is speedo shopping. I stood next to him for about 20 seconds. Then I got quite uncomfortable. There he is, picking up different speedo's and inspecting them all over, and I have no idea what to do. I finally decided I'd have to let him go, and I went off and looked at other things.

Tonight I have a set at O'Malley's Hotel. It's the Irish pub in which I first played in Oz. The same guy is still there, and when I asked him about playing he said he remembered me. I'm pretty sure I've improved quite a bit since I last played there, and having a 'magic' hat while I'm up there shouldn't hurt either.

Tomorrow, my adventure takes another turn. I'm off to the land of lambs. I will be flying to New Zealand to catch up with all the awesome kiwi's I've met on my adventure over here, for Christmas, New Years and beyond. Some of them are still kicking around Oz, but most of them are back home for the holidays. I really hope they have comfortable couches.

niiiiice.

the nimbin bob marley

I guess we met a celebrity?

Liz, Amy, Lucy and I rented a car in Byron Bay, and drove to Nimbin.Nimbin is classed as the Amsterdam of Australia. Hippieville. When we got out of the car, I looked across the street where there was an outdoor cafe. I have never seen so many dread-locks in one place before. Almost everyone in there had dreads. Old ladies, young men. When we walked passed, there was a guy playing guitar. Liz asked if he could take a picture of him. He said okay. We saw him again later on, and I snapped this picture of him. He then told us that he was the 'Nimbin Bob Marley', and that we could look him up on the Internet if we wanted to. Maybe later.

The city itself is tiny, so we just walked down the main street. Apparently everyone in Nimbin sells drugs. Half the people we walked by tried to sell us this or that. We went to the museum, which wasn't really a museum at all. It was more like a 'Legalize Pot' convention. Most of the stuff in the 'museum' had to do with Marijuana. There were documentaries on the tv's explaining the benefits of pot, pieces of VW vans, neon lights, and more marijuana paraphernalia. When we walked out of the back of the museum, that's where the magic happens. Drug deals going down all over the place. Old ladies selling there 'special' cookies, and old men insisting that they are the best around.

I purchased a hemp bracelet, it seemed like the right place to get one, but I somehow managed to rip it last night, so I don't know how long it's going to hold together. Liz, Amy and I jump back on the bus tonight to take an all night bus trip to Sydney. Byron Bay was fun, but I was sick for about 3 days, and my sinus was blocked so I had a killer headache all the time. It did keep me in at night so I didn't spend to much money here. high people are honest people.

Surfers Paradise

This hostel in Surfers Paradise is one of the best yet. Good people, good atmosphere. At one point there must have been about 15 other Canadians here. We won the international drinking contest a few nights ago. I put my Halloween costume on for the festivities.


The beach here is really nice, I've been playing in the waves almost every day, but it also has rained everyday since I have been here. The rain has even kept us in at night, because no one wants to walk into town when its pouring down.


There's a pub crawl tonight, which I think I may have to sign up for. It will be my last night in Surfers, I'm heading to Byron Bay tomorrow to rejoin the 'Mental Express'. Go team.


(this is usually where there would be a stupid photo. I can't upload any photos. So just imagine me dressed as Levi Jeans, and a few other guys in a swimming pool cheering, one of which whom is wearing a Canadian flag.)

no doot aboot it.

good news, bad news.

I'll start with the bad news.

James and Gavin didn't return with James's car. It needed a new transmission, which obviously couldn't be afforded, so it took a trip to the car wrecker. The next day, Seb's car got stolen from outside the hostel. Fortunately, 2 days later he did get it back, but they had got in an accident with it, the steering is all messed up, and his Nintendo DS is gone as well. He left a few days ago with Frankie, and his friend Kon, to go to Byron Bay.

Gavin, Amy, and Natalie left for Noosa to try to find work, but are having trouble. Clint went up to Coolum to visit a friend and when he gets back he is giving me a ride to Surfers.

Amy #2, Lucy, Camilla, JoJo, James and myself are still here in Brisbane. They are trying to find jobs, I am relaxing.

The good news....

Back in June, I filed a tax return. When I filled it out, I made a mistake, and to make a long story short, the ordeal ended with me having a sore hand, and the locker in my room having a dent. I was told there was nothing I could do, and that my return was going to be $47.19. Afterwards, I decided to file another one with a professional, even though filing 2 would make them both void. I had to take the chance. I'd rather take the chance and end up with nothing rather than having $47.19 and never knowing.

Anyway, I hadn't heard anything for months and figured I was never going to get my money, then I got an email. An email stating that maybe I was getting my money after all. Well, to make another long story short, today, the money has finally arrived in my account. How Much? I'll tell you how much, Twenty-Three Hundred FREAKIN BUCKS! So, it's safe to say I'll be going out with my friend bourbon tonight.

If that doesn't make me smile, nothing will.

Anyway. A few more nights here in BrisVegas. Nic, my kiwi mate from Perth arrives here tomorrow, so we will have at least one big night before I head to Surfers. Other than that, I'll catch ya on the flipside.

i make up my own dance moves.

Whitsunday's and Fraser Island.

Whitsunday's was a blast!
We boarded our sailboat 'Habibi' and I was keeping my fingers crossed that I wouldn't get sick. About an hour into the trip, I realized that my body was alright, and that I would be fine for the rest of the sail. We sailed for a few hours the first day, and anchored in Hook Bay for the night. There was a cook on the crew, so all the meals were provided. We had a bbq the first night. We also had quite a few drinks. Amazingly, no one fell overboard.

The next morning, we sailed to Whitsunday island, and chilled out in the sun on the beach. Since it's stinger season out there, we had to wear stinger suits, which I thought were just fantastic. After a few hours on the beach, we sailed further on, and stopped at the reef for some snorkeling. The captain was really counting on turtles being there, but unfortunately we saw none.

The second night was much like the first, only everyone knew eachother better. We rocked out on my guitar, had some drinks, and were having a good time, then the captain said he wanted to show us something. What was it? A mask and snorkel, only the snorkel had been turned into a beer bong. Uh oh. Everyone was drinking goon that night, except for me. Lots of goon was poured down that snorkel.
Once we returned to Airlie Beach, we grabbed some supplies, and headed back out on the road. That night we stopped at a free camping spot on the outskirts of Mackay. Once we set up camp, most people went to bed. But a few of us decided to go check out the local pub. The Eton Hotel. We walked in, and we could tell this was a very local pub, that probably never saw backpackers before. Frankie, Gavin, Jon, Seb, and myself ordered some beers, and before we had even finished half of them, one of the locals ordered us another round. Before we had even got to those beers, the same man ordered us a jug. He came down and started talking to us, and we purchased him a jug this time. Meanwhile, the bartender just stood at the side of the bar where we were sitting and chatted to us about things from James Bond, to Rugby, to Bundaberg Rum. He asked us if we knew how to drink Bundaberg(which is Australian Rum, and is horrible). We said we didn't. "Well, I'll show you." He gave us some free shots and told us after you get it in your mouth you have to swish it all over to get the flavour out. I'm sure I got the flavour out. It was terrible. I think Bundaberg is gross even when it's mixed with coke. Nonetheless, it was free and we were grateful.

The next day we set out for Hervey Bay. We camped outside of the town. In the morning, we went into the town, shopped around a bit, and then James's car broke down again. We tried to press on, but it broke down yet again. In the end, we had to leave it outside a ranch, because we didn't have time to get it fixed as we had to be in Rainbow Bay by 3:30pm to check in for our 2-night,4x4 trip to Fraser Island the next day. We made it in time, had our orientation, then hit the sack.

Fraser Island is the biggest sand island in the world. There was a lot of sand. We didn't get there to till the afternoon, so we set up camp and started the festivities. There were 3 4x4's, and 11 people in each. A pretty good amount of people to start a party. No one was awake passed midnight. In the morning we packed up, and set out for Lake Mckenzie. It had been so long since I swam in fresh water. It was gorgeous. After that, we drove to Lake Wobby. A few times it felt like the truck was going to flip because the roads were so treacherous. Once we left there, it was time to go back and set up camp again and make dinner. Night two was much like the first.On the third day, we started the day with a drive to an old shipwreck, followed by a drive along the beach to Indian head. We had to be at the ferry before 3:30p. We left at 1pm, which we thought would be plenty of time. Once we realized we might not make it in time, we flew along the beach. Fortunately, all three trucks made it just in time, even though we had been separated that day.Today, Gavin and James headed back to get his car(hopefully), and Seb took a car load down to Brisbane. The rest of us are staying in Rainbow beach tonight, and heading for Brisbane tomorrow.if i were a superhero, i'd wear that stinger suit.

the mental express

"So Steve, what did you do for your birthday?"

"Well, I rode on a ferry, had some chicken, then sat in a car for about four hours!"

If that was it, it wouldn't have been a very good birthday. Eventually, after James's car broke down the second time, we got to a Liquor store in Airlie Beach. I purchased a bottle of Slate Bourbon, which after drinking goon for the last few weeks, was a real treat. After I bought it, I noticed they had a Slate promotion going on. I asked the guy behind the counter if I could have a shirt, seeing as it was my birthday, and I bought some bourbon. Unfortunately, you have to buy the pre-mix to get the gear. But, after a puppy dog look on my part, he said, "I can give you a hat?" "SURE!" Well, when he was grabbing the hat he looked up at me again and said, "Medium or extra large?" SCORE. Hat and a shirt. Birthday's rule. Afterwards, we headed to a camp site, and had some drinks. Yadda yadda yadda....

Now, for the adventure thus far....

We left Cairns, and our first stop was Mission Beach for a night. On the way, we went to Josephine Falls, which was absolutely beautiful. Then it was off to Mission Beach. Guitar, goon, laughs, camping, self explanatory.

From Mission Beach, we headed south, and stayed in Saunders Creek, at a 24/hr rest stop. Nothing exiting to report, sorry.

The following day, we set out for Magnetic Island. Took a ferry out, and tried to book into a camp site. They were both full. The girl behind the desk said, "If you can't find a place, you guys could stay in my back yard?" And so it was set. She gave us directions, and we drove to her house, and set up our junk in the backyard. It was a fun night. Since everyone on the 'Mental Express' has heard me play guitar before, most of them already sing along with some of the songs I've written. We partied it up with goon, then retired to our tents.

The next day we checked into a campsite, and celebrated Clint's 26th birthday. Unfortunately we were all pretty tired from the previous day's, so we didn't tie it on very tight.

In the morning, which was my birthday, we packed up and headed for the ferry. (see opening paragraph)

Tomorrow, we begin a 2 day, 2 night sailing trip through the Whitsunday's, which I've heard is quite the little party, and you can better believe with the 'Mental Express' crew on board, there's bound to be a few people leaning over the edge.

frankie loves birthday's.