"East side motherfucker!"- Airlie Beach to Brisbane August/September 09

(Laura)

After having journeyed all those places, there was one thing we had still neglected: the East Coast! Okay, we saw bits and pieces such as Cairns and went as far up north as Melbourne, but still: the actual hot spots such as Fraser Island and Noosa, that are the sole reason for most backpackers to even come to Australia, were still unknown to me. While Jane opted to reach South America as quick as possible also for financial reasons, I didn't want to leave the continent before having seen all of it. I mean, when would I have the chance again to come here? It's not exactly around the corner.
Hence our ways in Perth parted: Jane took the plane to Buenos Aires with a two-week stopover in Malaysia in between, whereas Lee and me flew to Airlie Beach. The latter is located close to Cairns, and from there we traveled down the coast in a hired car for roughly three weeks, with Brisbane being our final destination. Then I would take the same route as Jane and meet her back in Argentina.

Airlie Beach, our first stop, seemed as if it had only been established for backpackers; being littered with hostels, cheap bars and clubs as far as the eye can see. Talking of that, it's crazy how adapted this country has become to the backpackers! Even in the supermarket you can buy all the stuff a backpacker needs, such as an adaptor for your electronic devices or a money belt- things you would usually only find in outdoor shops back home. But it's not a miracle: backpackers make up 10% of the Australian population and therefore represent a substantial part of the economy. However I never had an idea of the extent of the Australia-hype, until I got there. Sure at home you hear about young people flocking there, but when you arrive, it is simply overwhelming. Strolling along the streets, you feel as if you are in Majorca: German chattering wherever you step and in a hostel you wouldn't even need to speak a single word of English- almost all the people are German anyways(followed by a great number of British and Irish)! Thus, if your aspiration is to go on adventurous expeditions through the nature and unveil still hidden secrets or learn about different cultures other than 'beer and barbecue', the East Coast is not the best place to start. On the other hand, if you want to get off your ass everyday with other backpackers, laze on the beach and stuff your face with fast food, it is perfect ^^

However Airlie Beach was just the starting point for us to cast off on a three day sailing- and diving trip to Whitehaven beach. Lots of nice people, drinking and stunning white sandy beaches, what shall I say? Maybe not the best place to be with a boyfriend ;)

Next stop on the map was Town of 1770, a little settlement not frequented by backpackers , as it it difficult to reach unless you have a car. We hung out at its gorgeous wild beach in a remote area, which was apt for unwinding and having a break from the bustling city life!

Subsequent to that came Bundaberg, home town of the renowned Bundaberg rum. The architecture seemed as if little had changed since its foundation by the Europeans. Pointed arches in a Gothic style, wide colonial verandas and iron lace decorations, that are characteristic features of the late Victorian style.




After this pretty lame experience, we headed for a more fun place: Fraser island- home to wild dingos. You get hooked up with a four-wheel jeep, in which you explore the island on a self-drive, along with 11 other people in one car. Every detail is planned out: they give a long lecture about the Do's and don'ts and driving instructions beforehand, provide you with a route so you can't miss the attractions, pack the jeep with food and even organize the booze for you. In a nut shell: as convenient as can be and for my understanding far from being adventurous. Still we had a pleasant time sitting around campfires, drinking and swimming.

After Fraser we spent a day in Noosa, which is also on the must-do list for backpackers, due to its beautiful beaches and surf. From there, we went to the ever famous Australia Zoo, founded by Steve Irwin the Crocodile Hunter. Childhood dreams became true­ when I patted animals such as the kangaroo and even held a Koala in my arms(they are so sweet and have the softest fur imaginable!).

Our next stop on the list, Surfers's Paradise, was somewhat disheartening. The beach was unspectacular and the city just a big chunk of cement. Still the theme parks on it outskirts were a blast and going surfing was also great! Even if I didn't get very good at it, catching a wave here and there, gave me a thrill.

Towards the end of our East Coast adventure, we stopped in Nimbin, a miniature version of Amsterdam founded by old Hippies. The fronts of the houses in the strip mall were bursting with crazy, psychedelic art and esoteric and organic shops were scattered all over the place. I think the reason for people coming here is obvious.

Byron Bay, which is just a stone's throw from Nimbin was quite hippie-like and alternative as well, at least the 'Arts-factory-hostel' where we stayed, which offered meditation classes and sessions to find your inner self.

During our stay there, we tried out a water sport, which consists of standing on a colossal surfboard and paddle with an oar. What a crackpot idea! The surf was so bumpy that we kept on falling off, the second we stood up on the board.

Our final destination Brisbane, from where we had to take off for Kuala Lumpur, was terrific. Strangely a lot of backpackers had told me previously that it's middle-of-the-road, somehow I really enjoyed it though. It's a colourful mix in regard to both its people and architecture and it bursts with life.



Homage to the Aussis

Here I was, leaving this continent, I had grown so fond of, after nine month. Even if I was looking forward to finally see something new, it still made me melancholic to leave. We met so many great people here and were welcomed by our Couchsurfing hosts as if we were part of the family.

Most Australian people, affectionately dubbed Aussis, have such a positive attitude. It is common practise to help each other and share. Of course you are treated particularly friendly as they like foreigners a lot, but also among each other they were not less helpful or kind by any means. To give an idea: when you are at a party and can't get home, there is no doubt that someone will offer you a lift. It's just normal for people to help each other out. And even if you don't know the people for example and thumb a lift, Aussis almost always bring you right home, although that might cost them some minutes more. The guiding principle 'no worries mate', that everyone uses at least hundred times a day, is symbolic of a lifestyle: laid-back and carefree. While a lot of Germans always tend to be perfectionist down to the smallest detail, we liked how people here took things in a more relaxed way. 'That is as good as it gets' or 'good enough' are phrases you will hear a lot, when you come here. Last but not least, it is also important to mention that the Aussis have a strong feeling of unity one with the other. They are proud to be Australian and when something bad happens to their fellow brothers, they vouch for them. This is something we noticed strongly when the forest fires in Victoria, threw a dark shadow over the country. Each and every one was affected; people on the street started collecting money for the victims, charity events were held and a lot of people donated. However we retained these impressions of the local mentality throughout our stay, even after the initial euphoria had decreased. You might think that this seems contradictory as our entry about Karratha was so negative. This was due to its village character and related people though, along with our dull working life, rather then people from Australia in general.