Queensland - Welcome to the tropics!

Guys, you have to be very strong now! Since I've already received requests to stop posting photos like this from Australia, here's the explicit note: there's no other way! If you're unsure whether you can handle it, it's best not to read any further!

The next part of the journey is the east coast. So the area that most people visit when they make their way to Australia.

The Great Barrier Reef doesn't have its name for nothing! The day trip (from the coast it takes another hour out to sea until you reach the reef) was breathtaking! First of all, because I was diving for the first time in my life! If you swim well with the instructor and show that you can clear the water from your goggles and don't panic when the mouthpiece leaves your mouth, you can go into the depths even without a diving license. Oh, I'm so proud of myself! If you consider that 15 years ago I wouldn't have even swum in a lake where fish of any size would have appeared to me, let alone have my head under water, and now I can't get enough of the huge array of colors! Of course we saw Nemo and his friends. Well, there weren't 13 reef sharks like on the west coast, but the corals and anemones were a lot more colorful and rich in species

I had a particularly nice time in the highlands, about 12 hours inland. The rainforest features waterfalls, usually tree kangaroos (unfortunately none spotted) and platypuses. The three of us girls really enjoyed the second day because of the small group, the accommodation and the relaxed afternoon! In the morning we went paddling on the lake and then we let our creativity run wild and painted ourselves a la Aborigines with 'ochre' (natural paint made from clay). Then we explored the area on mountain bikes (steep climbs can be very tiring in the blazing sun in the morning!) and then treated ourselves to a swim in the natural pool. We then had our well-deserved lunch in our hotel - due to overcrowding we were moved to an old pub from 1910, where life in the small town still takes place today - and treated ourselves to a beer or two as we had no activities there day more. We then spent the rest of the afternoon with a fairly short walk on the "main street" of Yungaburra and iced coffees and in the hammock. Life can be so beautiful!

My travel route takes me further south along the east coast. Magnatic Island should be next. A beautiful island! The hostel was right on the beach and the turquoise water just radiates pure holiday vibes. A nice walk over a few hills took me from the bay where my hostel was to 'Horseshoebay'. And because there's nothing more obvious about the name, I decided to go on a horse ride in the afternoon. My Mathilda and I dutifully formed the shooting light because she didn't really want to have other horses so close to her. But the best part was the ride through the water. Of course, due to the danger of jellyfish at this time of year, I'm back in a stinger suit.

On the island you can also meet more Aussies who are vacationing in their own country. Especially people who work in one of the many mines in the interior of the country and want to distribute their hard-earned money to the people and then give you a little more insight into real Aussie life. What was initially announced as a bingo evening (mmhhhh, yes, why bingo now? It's more of a pastime for older people and was ultimately played in our pub in Yungaburra in the morning to fill up the coffers for the village planting...) then turned into a real drinking game turns out, more for the two guys who drew the numbers, but everyone had fun in the end. And after the grand prize of almost $400 was awarded and the music was turned up, within a minute everyone was on the tables and dancing. Maybe I should reconsider my opinion about bingo!

When we arrived in Airlie Beach, we went on the boat for two days to cruise around the famous Whitsundays. The highlight was Whithaven Beach, which is one of the top 10 beaches in the world. It's even more beautiful in real life than on the postcards! We also went snorkeling (watch out, giant fish!!!) and saw a beautiful sunset or just enjoyed the boat.

One evening an Australian asked me how I liked Australia and Airlie Beach in particular and whether I wanted to live here. He was very indignant at my answer that it was very nice but I didn't want to live here. It was wonderfully warm and he hadn't worn a sweater in 12 years, he said proudly. 12 years? I asked curiously whether he had long trousers. No, why should he? Well, wedding or funeral...? No, he even wore black swimming shorts to his father's funeral, that's what dad would have wanted! Where he is right, he is right. Why represent something if it isn't otherwise...

Fraser Island is the world's largest sand island, which we explored in a jeep. Particular caution should be exercised against dingoes, a type of wild dog. However, none showed up to us for the whole three days. And as if it was noticed, a particularly attention-seeking dingo was waiting for us on the way to the ferry and proudly walked through the line of cars. He didn't really look dangerous, but I don't want to run into him or his pack friends in the dark either. As expected, the island offers kilometers of wonderful beaches (unfortunately swimming is forbidden), which we drove along in the four-wheel drive at 60 h/km, and refreshing lakes in the interior of the island. And then there was the sand...it's just everywhere! On the evening of the second evening it was pouring rain so that there was only mud in the camp. Part of the party then quickly turned into an open air raining party. Unfortunately, when my tentmate and I went to bed, we were disappointed to discover that we had forgotten to close the rain cover on the tent. The water was about 10 cm deep in the tent and almost all of the clothes were wet. With only damp clothes on our bodies, we quickly got into the car and were happy to head back to our home hostel in the afternoon of the next day.

Noosa is a beautiful, pretty little town dotted with beaches and islets and it's not that small. I especially like it because not only is the usual backpacker community represented here, but many other holidaymakers also enjoy the beach. The promenade offers real high society boutiques and the many boats convey a Mediterranean flair. Since it was included in my travel package, I hopped on the eBike to explore and was more than grateful for all the mountains and the sun that the bike offered so much support! The rest, as always, was scouted out on foot. The highlight this time was a very banal visit to the cinema. Yes, I have to admit, you get a little fed up with all the beautiful things you get to see and not every beautiful view makes you scream in delight, but is only acknowledged with a "pretty okay". The moments become much more impressive affects the people and the mood around them.

That's probably why I liked Brisbane so much. It was only a short day and a half, but it was wonderful! Starting with a free city tour presented with a lot of passion, nice people with whom you then spent the whole day, to the Christmas choir at the sweet Christmas market including non-alcoholic iced mulled wine, free open-air cinema at the lagoon and the crowning finale, fireworks. As if Brissie had been waiting for us! A little taste of Sydney!

I wish you all a wonderful and merry Christmas! Enjoy the free and hopefully lazy days! All the best for 2015 and may your wishes come true!