Sydney I flew into Sydney and went straight to the Central YHA. There's a YHA at just about every stop in NZ and OZ. For some reason I avoided them in NZ and have stuck exclusively with them in OZ. The hostel network has strict standards and they are almost always modern... more...

Round the eastern bump of OZ Byron Bay was a welcome return to the beach. Lying in the sun, boogie boarding in the waves and watching the girls go by. The hostel provided free boogie boards and bicycles, I took advantage of both. I ran into the crazy poker playing Swedes from Fiji which was a surprise... more...

People are funny These multi day trips provide a good opportunity to observe people. On the sailing trip I chuckled at the 21 year old, foul-mouthed, vegetarian buddhist from Maine. Watched the 32 year old camp counselor from Chicago pursue the cowgirl from Alabama. He was drunk and cuddly on the last night on... more...

Stuck on Magnetic Island I stopped on Magnetic Island for a night and stayed for three. The bus stops at Townsville and the island is a 20 minute ferry ride away. I stayed at Geoff's Place, a block away from the beach. It had a great atmosphere with what they called cedar tents scattered about.... more...

Lots of Diving Short post.

I went on a five day dive trip, really three and a half days of actual diving. Fourteen dives in all and I was sick of diving. The diving was spectacular and the trip was a blast. But when I got back I was so worn out that I scuttled... more...