A Couple of Photos from Coolangatta

Kirra

Beach across the street

View from the Condo

Where we stayed

Sheet Snob

Upon arrival to Australia I found the new sheets that had been bought were, horror of horrors, poly-cotton. And not just poly-cotton, they were 140 thread count poly-cotton. Miserable. But only one night was spent on them before heading to Coolangatta where there were lovely cotton sheets. Naively I thought that finding 100% cotton sheets would be easy and resolved to track some down after our Gold Coast holiday.

My first attempt was at  Target. Target has relatively inexpensive cotton sheets in the States and I assumed I would find it to be the same here. Wrong. There were multiple sets and colors but the vast majority were poly-cotton and the the cotton the did have was a 500 count $150 set. Not exactly in my price range.The next store I looked only had poly-cotton, as did the next. Discouraged and faced with another night on scratchy, clammy sheets, I took to the interwebs and found an ikea close by with affordable cotton sheets. Didn't particularly want to patronize a large shopping chain, but I was desperate.  I spent another night on the icky sheets and the next day we went and braved the Sunday crowd at Ikea to purchase my lovely new 100% cotton sheets. I slept much better last night ( admittedly the sheets were a little damp from the wash but they were still heavenly).

I know I am sheet snob and said as much to my mother. She acknowledged that she raised me to be that way.  But I am realizing as we acquire things for the house that I am just a snob. I much prefer metal and glass over plastic. I want cast iron pans not teflon coated ones. I have been fortunate enough to find places to live where my housemates have similar preferences, but here it seems people aren't as aware about the leaching of plastics. So, I am trying to be tolerant and I am keeping an eye out for any garage sales that have some glass containers.

Accomplished:

Saw kangaroos Sawm in the ocean Walked on the squeaky sand Stood in both Queensland and New South Wales. * I plan to write more once I return from our holiday on the gold coast. I left my computer in Thornlands so all I have for Internet access is paul's iPhone which is annoying to type on.

First Impressions

It's hot, as in I'm melting and don't want to be wearing any clothes hot.

Turning right in a car is now rather scary due to the fact that Australia drives on the other (wrong) side of the road.

The sun is intense.

I need to start taking pictures. Australia has some great road signs.

I haven't seen a kangaroo, yet.

I have seen a cane toad (invasive) and a tree frog (native).

The house I am  living in is quite large, especially since it is mostly empty.

Even though it was embarrassing to have so much luggage, I am glad I packed all those dresses.

I am looking forward to the Gold Coast (tomorrow) where I will be running around in my bikini and not much else.

Ready or Not

Currently in Anchorage on my way towards Australia. I am hoping I didn't forget anything. My luggage weighs 50lbs exactly. I have a plethora of dresses, eight pairs of street shoes, four pairs of pointe shoes, ballet clothes and other assorted articles of clothing. I also have my passport, my e-ticket for Air Pacific, my bank statements showing over $6000 USD in the bank, my drivers license, and my health insurance card. I have my computer, my camera, and a backpack/shoulder bag. I definitely did not pack light for this trip. My excuse is that I will have a home base and I will be there for at least three months. Can't believe I am actually on my way. I hope everything goes smoothly.

mmm...crab

I survived the tanner season. It actually wasn't that bad. The gods and goddesses of the thrift stores bestowed upon me a set of military puffy layers that were super warm. While fishing I only wore them and two thermal shirts beneath my rain gear and I stayed warm. Not nearly as bad as I thought it might be.

I actually really enjoyed crabbing once we were out on the water. I was able to move around enough as not to freeze. The cold meant the bait didn't smell too strongly and since the crab was kept alive my rain gear didn't get all gross. Since I was the third crewman I was mostly in charge of measuring the crab and determining the total count for each pot.  Not that physically difficult but my back did get tired of crouching over the tote and my knees ended up bruised from kneeling on  the deck. Next time I am bringing knee pads. And the best part of all was that we were on the crab and I made a good chunk of money.

Glutton for Punishment?

Once upon a time I decided to go tanner crabbing. I figured since I was long lining halibut in the summers I might as well be able to say I'd gone crabbing too. Tanner season is in  January and that particular year it was cold and clear. I had gone along as the spare hand and I spent most of the time inside the cabin next to the stove trying to warm up. It wasn't that the work was hard, it was just cold. I  have never been so fucking cold in my life. On our return to town I threw in the towel and thought never again. I think if it had been more physically difficult I might have kept at it but with it being cold I decided not for me.

Well guess what I am doing? Yes, I am tanner crabbing and once again it has been a cold and clear January. I am going to freeze, actually I have already been freezing. All day working on the back deck rigging pots was miserable. I am hitting the thrift stores tomorrow for more warm jackets and snow pants. My three pairs of fleece legging underneath carhartts didn't quite cut it, nor did the two jackets, one sweater, two thermal shirts, and fleece lined sports bra. One would think that I would have been decently warm and one would be wrong. I think it is the lack of moving around. I've never been good at staying warm when not walking which is part of the reason I don't like to stop and eat while hiking. I am hoping to find a down jacket and a down vest and snowpants.

So why I am doing this? I think on some level I am just a glutton for punishment and I want the bragging rights for afterwards. There is nothing better than being down south and telling someone that you commercial fish. Reactions are always priceless.  And then there is the financial aspect.  I am only in town till the end of the month and finding short term work here is hard. By going fishing I will be able to hang with my dad and I ended up really missing him last summer when I did the Bristol Bay season.  And I have found a third reason. By freezing now the Australian summer is going to feel really really good. Actually I think the image of myself lying in the sun on the Gold Coast was the only thing that got me through the last hour of work today.