Australia

Synopsis:
If the opportunity presented itself to drive one of two bright fuchsia 4-WD SUVs around the world's largest sand island for three days with 12 folks from Germany, Switzerland, The Netherlands, and the Czech Republic, what would you say? Well, Amanda, Yas, and I said HECK YEAH and thus I found myself driving on the left-side of the road for the first time in my life as we headed off to Fraser Island.

More details than you ever wanted to know...
Day One:
Back to Sydney, back to St. Mark's with Mark, Marianne, her parents, and now little Sophia Faith too, and back to the work-to-live lifestyle that is Australia. I spent my first day back in Sydney literally praising God and taking communion for the first time in three months (far too long!), and spending sometime with the extended family. A beautiful afternoon on their back porch, a leisurely evening walk with all on Crunella beach and a fantastic seafood dinner - oh how incredible it felt to spend the day with Marianne and family (and to get away from all things ship)!

Days Two-Six:
Bright and early the next morning, we flew to Hervey Bay, ate breakfast by the beach (I ordered something that included baked beans on my avacado sandwich - looked intriguing, but when they were out of baked beans, she asked me if a substitute of spaghetti would be alright - I have to ask - is that typical?!), biked to the marina, and found Thai take-out that made our tongues sing. An evening 1.5 hour pre-camping briefing made my head spin, scared of dingoes (dogs that have been known to attack children on the island - mom you would have cancelled the trip!), and confused on what gear to use when...

But an early rise on Day Three, took me (semi-confidently) behind the wheel of a 9-seater SUV for the first time in my life, and off to Fraser Island for three days of camping on the beach. Lakes with rolling sand dunes, catfish nibbling at our toes, and blue turquoise water filled our days; gas stove concoctions, taking in the Milky Way in its entirety, and singing German songs while playing Swiss games filled our nights.

Over the three days, I developed what I would like to now call "expert sand-driving skills," testified by the level of backseat bounce as I flew over watersheds, yelled "bump" as we hit mounds of hard-packed sand, and warred with the "road" that was determined to drive me (Andrew you would be so proud, I'm SO a true Mitry!). Only a couple of boggings (Australian for "getting stuck"), nothing that the car full of guys traveling behind us couldn't take care of! With our hair and our bellies full of sand, we arrived back to Hervey Bay for a leisurely evening by the beach and an early flight back to Sydney the next morning.

Day Six:
Arriving in Sydney with plans to rent a car and drive somewhere (so detailed, right?), we asked the info center where to head. With a recommendation of Kiama, we hit the road south and found ourselves with a stunning view of the coastline and a recommendation to stop at Crooked Valley vineyards for their award-winning wine.

Catherine greeted us warmly as we entered the tasting room and we were soon in a lively chat. Called away, she turned the tasting over to her father, Brian, an elderly man with a voice that could wield a story. Almost as if he knew that Amanda willed him to tell us one, he told us the story of Pyjama Wine - a port wine that was named as such for a local woman who wrote him a letter on her 99th birthday that detailed how she drank a glass of it each night before she slept. He said it was out of that letter that it was deemed that port wine was most appropriately drank in one's pyjamas. :) Just as the story finished, Michael, Catherine's husband and the cook of the restaurant, asked us where we would be staying the night. Clueless per usual, we shrugged and solicited suggestions. He promptly booked us a hotel and Catherine made us dinner reservations at her local favorite cafe and restaurant. She solicited her son to take a picture of us out on the front porch before we bid our farewell.

Have I mentioned how much I love Australia?