Fraser Island. Thursday August 21, 2008
Trip Start
Aug 09, 2008
1
12
20
Trip End
Aug 30, 2008
Fraser Island, Queensland, Australia
Friday, August 22, 2008
I had the half day 4wheel tour of the island at 12:30, whereas they didn't sign up, so I left them to meet up with the others. I thought the bus would be like an ATV, but was just like a standard tour bus. The tour company claimed they have the largest 4wheel drive vehicles in the world. They needed it too, once out of the hotel complex (and through intricate exitways to keep dingos out) the road went away, replaced with sand. Since it didn't rain recently a car was stuck that we had to push out -- the sand became too high for it to pass through clean. Because the "road" was compacted from cars driving on it you could clearly see the trees/routes growing in the sand. Those on the contiki tour who passed on this optional really missed out.
We drove to "central station" about an hours drive (bumpy) and went on a hike along a stream. The water was so clear it looked like it wasn't even there, I mistook green stuff floating on top, but it was some leaves on the bottom. It's a closed water system and the sand filters/refines the rainwater, which keeps it so clean and drinkable. Which I did. It tasted like...water, which for some laughable reason I thought it would taste differently -- albeit better than the salt water that I got mouthfuls of SCUBA diving. We took the hiking trail for 30-45, then drove to lake McKenzie, with pristine sand and just as clear water as the stream. The water was cold, but I went for a swim anyway -- and the water felt refreshing.
After the tour we met at the jetty for a wine and cheese sunset, but it was cloudy and I knew the sunset wouldn't have been as impressive as the one's at long island so Zach and I went over to the hot tub, reflecting on the tour thus far and career aspirations (he just finished law school) before catching the shuttle back to our rooms to get changed, quickly going back down to get dinner. Most of the gang was there, chatted with everyone, had a few beers and pizza, and took an easy night off, walking with Cathy on the porch. She introduced me to tim-tams, a type of Australian cookie that was incredible. I read a while and fell asleep.
