Wednesday, we did a unique and spectacularly touristy thing with three other couples (from yachts; Wasabi, Northern Winds, Endangered Species and Wind Pony). We went touring on scooters that were modified to look like little Harley Davidson motorcycles. The business is called "Scooteroo!" They offered a variety of styles and types for all levels of experience. Some even looked like the choppers from Easy Rider. Frank chose one for the more seasoned riders, but I chose one that was more my speed – beginner rider - with a fuel tank painted like the US Flag. It was so much fun! They decked us out in helmets and leathers. We were given a large array of temporary tattoos to choose to wear. The group was large, about 45 riders, most of whom were more my daughter's age. We drove into the country and through small towns around the area of the historic town of 1770. They took us to a couple of areas where we could watch kangaroos in the wild, then to the Oceanside to watch the sunset. People gawked at us like we were a band of bikers on the loose! Here is the link in case you want to check it out: http://www.aw1770.com.au/TourWebsite_ScooterooChopperBikeTours.html
We just really loved it! I had a smile plastered on my face the entire time. Our biggest regret is that we forgot the camera!
Thursday, we had intended to begin making our way down toward Brisbane, yet Thursday became Saturday as we waited out some big bad weather. Thursday saw the worst of the storm, and in between heavy rains I trouped back and forth to the laundry and read my Bryce Courtenay book, "Jessica". On Friday, a group of us (mostly girls) went into Bundaberg to catch the newly released "Eat, Pray, Love" at the local movie theater, had a nice lunch and did last minute shopping. I really like Bundaberg, and could spend a long time here enjoying the history and laid back lifestyle.
Saturday arrived and we were ready to move on down the coast. This is a big country and we have only seen the tip of this iceberg. Next stop: Fraser Island
Once we cleared the bay, the chop and current came at us as though we were in a boxing match. Wind on the nose…what? It was supposed to be on the beam! We rocked like a hobbyhorse, bucking and trudging along for the first few hours listening to our engine groan in protest to the resistant elements. Frank fought to find us a fair point of sail to make the going a bit easier and also in hope of making better time and distance. What we had planned as an 8-hour sail turned into a nearly 12-hour workout.
We arrived in the anchorage at Kingfisher Bay just as the sun was dipping below the western sky. Whew! Happy to be here! As I was preparing dinner, bright lights illuminated the galley and for just an instant I felt like we were having a close encounter of the "God-knows-what" kind. I heard a loud engine and shouted to Frank that something large is looming. He popped up the companionway in time to see a ferry bearing down on us. We both blurted out a string of colorful expletives as we watched the ferry divert. Clearly we were not in a good place here. The current had turned Destiny into the apparent ferry path, although there were no markings of any kind and no indication that this is a Ferry Area. We waited and watched. 30 minutes later, the ferry departed Fraser Island, sweeping by us much too closely for comfort. Now that it was gone we hurriedly raised the anchor and moved – twice. We set the anchor in the dark, went below for dinner and prayed that we would be OK until morning.
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