Last Week

From Maggie

Melbourne is the same - or at least St. Kilda is. We invade Jake's space again, just in time for ANZAC Day (OZ's Memorial Day). A day of footy, friends and brews. A good time was had by all. Good times included a Collingwood win, SingStar, Guitar Hero and Mt. Gay Rum.

The next morning, deathly hungover (myself only), we jetted out for Sydney. Susanna was a saint and put up with me in my miserable state for a entire 24 hrs. Needless to say, we put hiring a camper-van temporarily on hold. The following morning we're at the Britz, Maui, Backpackers megaplex. Our car karma turned out to be great. We locked into a Backpackers camper-van which is turning out to be the most functional and comfortable rental yet.

Before venturing to Sydney, we booked out tickets to Bali. We fly out May 1st. Partially because we wanted warmer water/weather and mostly because OZ is financially draining. So we are in our new portable home for the next 5 days until hitting the island life full on.

From Sydney we went to north to Manly Beach. A bustling beach town with no shortage of surfers. When we arrived, it was side-shore with chest high peaks. Of course I got in. It felt great to be submerged after a few days of city life. Also to wash away any remnants of my sloth-like existence the day prior. The water was a little warmer, but the wind was a little bit chilly. It Apparently, it was snowing inland and the natural airflow brought that cold air to the coast. It has been that way for a few days now. Eventually, blowing the surf flat and making for some seriously cold nights.

North Narrabeen was out first campsite. A renowned wave right out front but the previously mentioned winds had blown it down to all but a foot. Still there were 18 guys out on a single peak. It reminded me of Seaside in the summertime. The next crisp night was spent lakeside at Lake Macquire. A nice enough place, but we aren't lake faring people. It ended up being a good spot to buckle down for some more work. Our only experience with the locals consisted of us spectating a bunch of kids playing footy in one of the park's open fields. It was the Australian version of the "Sandlot".

Now, we are even further north at the Karuah Jetty Big 4. Earlier today, upon arrival, we went straight (by the Rock Roadhouse Cafe) to Hawk's Beach. A spectacular stretch of white sand beach with some fun peelers to be had. It just so happened that the winds, having decreased and switched direction were luckily offshore here. The water was also cooperative. Suitable for a top and trunks. I caught a bunch of fun ones and walked off the beach with a grin.

This passage will probably be the last for a spell. We travel back down south to Sydney tomorrow, drop the van off by for and check into a motel for our early morning departure to paradise.

p.s. While writing this, a Magpie (ornery local bird and mascot to Jake's beloved Collingwood and whose name just happens to be "Maggie") just walked all through our van in search of food. It honed in on the bag of cashews and walked across my laptop to the back of the van for a taste. She ended up ingesting a few as well as some chilli chip crumbs. Apparently, it had been hand raised since a chick by a local holiday park lifer. How many folks can claim they pet a magpie?