Hervey Bay & Fraser Island

Well i'm back at work again this week... but last week was kinda fun cos i went to hervey bay and fraser island.

It was quite nice to getaway for a bit. Hervey bay is just north of the sunshine coast and fraser island is an island just off the coast of Aust.

After arriving in hervey bay we were picked up by steph and taken to the outrigger resort where we were staying. The first day we just relaxed and walked around hervey bay for a bit and swam in the pool at the resort. Our apartment was on the 6th floor (top floor) and had a spa and a great view of the marina below.



The 2nd day we went to Noosa... which sharon calls "double bay by the beach". It was actually quite a hot day and we were trying not to get burnt. Typical tho cos sharon and i spent the arvo shopping all the boutique shops along the beach. Had dinner at this italian place that had just opened up along the beach at hervey bay (closer to steph's place). The place is so new that our waiter actually didnt really know what was what... which was quite funny. But he was a nice guy and shared that he played in a Christian band that had just finished touring around aust playing at schools and clubs.

The next day we made our way over to Fraser Island by ferry. Fraser island is the world's largest sand island. The entire island is one big sand deposit in the sea! Which makes it totally amazing that so much vegetation and wildlife exist. Apparently many years ago it was one mass of sand but seeds blew over from the mainland and some salt-resistant grasses started to grow. As the grasses died and decomposed, a humus layer was formed and other trees could start to grow.

Kingfisher resort is one of the 2 resorts on the island. The landscaping and pools are beautiful... but sadly the room is a bit of a disappointment and i think i wouldnt be staying there again.

Aust day and we went on a one-day tour of the island. When i first arrived i didnt expect that much but the history of fraser island is certainly fascinating. and you can drive a kilometer and find that the vegetation changes from bush to rainforest. poor sharon was really motion sick tho on the 4wd bus that we were on.



Interesting fact... one of the common trees on fraser island is the ring pine. they've stopped forestry on the island cos it's world heritage listed but ring pine is the stuff they make paddle pop sticks out of.



The day after was the last day of the holiday :(
Headed back to hervey bay and back to sydney.

Sharon's Oyster record

Went to the Four points Sheraton for seafood buffet lunch yesterday (have been going every week).
Our school friends know how incredibly much sharon can eat... even tho she's as thin as a rake and we dont know where it all goes... She's also famous for eating a lot of oysters at buffets!

My dare for her yesterday was to eat her record 62 oysters... and she did it... wow...
I think i had about 4 and was nearly puking (i dont really like oysters).
Well done shaz! We'll rename you "Sharon 'Oysters' Lee"!

Twenty20 Cricket

Last night i was meant to be studying... but i couldnt resist watching the 20/20 match between Sth Africa and Aust.

On sunday arvo i went to NSW v QLD 20/20 match. thought that both sides did well to score 167 (and NSW 168).... but the Aust side did even better scoring 208 at the gabba.

I think that 20/20 cricket is a great promotional game.... like not to replace the regular limited over matches but it is really exciting to see so many 4's and 6's being belted everywhere. And it seems to be played in very good spirit.... i liked how the commentators were able to talk to the captains on the field at times.

Here's an article from the SMH after the NSW v QLD game... everybody seemed to be in good spirits... so much so that they made a beer-cup snake...
I think the funniest quote on that page is "players wore tops emblazoned with the most unimaginative nicknames.".... sorry just my sense of humour...

The year so far...

Well i've been back at work since last wed. It's been quite busy but today is actually not too bad. I have a breather and am able to catch up on work left over from last yr!

I got new fishies last week... Ok that might be boring news for some but i really like my fish. My tank has been brightened up with the addition of 2 dozen neon tetras and a new clown loach. I already have one loach which seems to be lonely at times so thought i'd get another one. At the moment tho, they dont seem to be getting along. The little one follows the big one around but the big one doesnt seem impressed. Have a swordtail that is heavily pregnant at the moment so expect some baby fishies anytime soon. It's actually quite peaceful sitting there watching the fish swim around.

I've recently gotten into harry potter and in the last 2 weeks i've read 3 of the books. Currently reading the 4th book - HP and the goblet of fire.

Also currently reading a book on Evangelism by John Dickson. he talks about relativism in society and i like a bit at the end of the chapter where he talks about religious tolerance. He says that tolerance for Christians is not agreeing with somebody else's point of view or looking like you're agreeing if you think it's wrong. It's about loving the person and showing respect even when disagreeing.

I think that's a really hard thing to do. Sometimes if you dont say anything it seems like you are agreeing. If you disagree then it can alienate people and even result in arguments. Sometimes it's so hard to show love and respect for someone when at the same time you're making it clear that you dont agree.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Well it's now 2006!!

It's been an eventful year for 2005!
Yesterday was sooooo hot. Had a great new years eve tho... Sharon had a party and we watched the fireworks from her rooftop. It wasnt really a closeup view but we could see the fireworks all the way along the waterside from Glebe to the Opera house.

Stayed up all night and then went to watch the sunrise with some people from church at Freshwater beach. The sunrise definitely didnt disappoint as it was a beautiful red sun. Drove back from the beach blasting "New years day" by U2... trying not to fall asleep!

I think there were a lot of sleepy faces at church this morning. We heard a sermon on how to grow as a Christian. It is important not to stay in nappies but to grow and mature as a Christian... and the way to do it is under God's word. Was a good talk to start off the year... I am currently trying to read through some of the minor prophets...

Today was such a hot day... +40 degree heat... spent the day at Vic's... in the pool or chilling out in airconditioning...

Ok.. the lack of sleep starting to catch up with me... zzzzzz