April 14 — Torquay Beach

That morning I walked down Torquay beach and watched some people doing Thai Chi. Our car didn't start and Rebecca called RACQ. They told us that it needed a tune up. So I went to the parts store and got some spark plugs, a rotor, and a cap. After I put the new parts on it ran better for a short while. We made it to a wrecking yard called "Parky" to get a distributor, and a mechanic there suggested adjusting the point gap. I increased the gap and we were on our way to Noosa Heads. When we got there we had a look around and put our tent up at Sunshine Beach. I slept outside under the stars listening to the waves crash. I had a strange dream that night about something in the shape of a ship in the sky and a robotic voice talking.

April 15 — Noosa Heads

We all got up and went to the surf club park. The girl all went to sunbathe on the beach and I went for a hike in Noosa National Park. I did a large 10 kilometer circuit to the headquarters then along the coast to Tea Tree beach and Alexandria bay were there was a nude beach. It was a beautiful walk through the rain forest and coast. When I got back to the car, Donna and I went and ate lunch. We took a walk around Noosa Heads and shopped on Hastings. We drove along the coast, took some photos, and stopped at Ettamoga pub before getting to Alan's place in Brisbane.

April 16 — Cleveland

We worked on the Datsun at the shop. I fixed the brakes and the headlamp. That evening we celebrated Fay's Birthday.

April 17 — Brisbane

I went into the city and visited a coin collector. Then walked around Southbank, and caught up on email at the library.

April 18 — Brisbane

Went to city, visited the museum. Saw displays on whales, birds, platypus, and snakes.

April 19 — Moreton Island

We got to the ferry terminal in time and paid $20 for a round-trip to Moreton Island. It took 2 hours to sail to the beach at Tangaloma. We put up the tent at the campground by the wrecks and walked to the desert. I saw a red bellied black snake on the trail. When we reached the desert, we tried sand tobogganing down the steep sand dunes. I only slid fast once. I think the sand wasn't dry enough. But it was plenty hot in the bright sun. On the way back to camp I saw a trail of caterpillars. I took a nap on the beach and went for a swim. That evening we went to see the wild dolphins that come to the dock at 6pm. It has become a traditional event on Moreton Island. When I was feeding them some fish, a dolphin softly bumped me on my sore knee. Maybe it could sense my injury. Afterwards I walked through the old whaling station on the way back to the tent.

April 20 — Mt Tempest

It was a rainy morning. Donna and I set off for a walk to the west coast. We walked along a beautiful sand road and got drenched in a rain storm. We walked and walked for a long time. A 4x4 stopped and offered a ride to Mt Tempest. We gladly accepted and met Ian (a tour guide) and his group of travelers. The rain cleared up and the skies were blue again when we got to the rail head for Mt. Tempest. It is the highest sand dune in the world. Hiked to the top on a trail with 100 year old "Black Boy" plants and other interesting plantlife. After we hiked down, Ian drove us all the way to their camp and invited us to have lunch with them. It was great to talk to people from all over the world, like Russia, Adelaide, and England. After a having a nice lunch and visit with the tour group, Donna and I walked back to our campsite, took down the tent, and waited on the beach for the ferry. I went for a swim and saw barracuda fish. The vehicle ferry was packed full of 4x4 trucks and motorcycles. While riding the ferry back to the mainland, I met Chris and discussed the internet and travel.

April 21-27 — Brisbane

Our last week in Australia. I started to get things cleaned up and packed for our departure. I went out to Keperra and visited with Grant's parents. His father, Ken, took me for a drive through Brisbane forest and went hiking in Mt. Glorious park. We had fish & chips for lunch in Fernvale. When we returned to their home I visited with Grant's Mum, Denise. That evening I helped surprise Alan and Faye for their 32nd wedding anniversary by covering their bed with rose pedals. On Friday I had lunch with AnnMarie and Robert. They are friends from the time I was living in Brisbane in '93 going to school at QUT. On Saturday, we celebrated Gavin's 26th birthday at an Irish Pub. Sunday we packed up for Bali.