I like hostels. My mom didn't think I'd be tolerant of them like I was when I was 21, however they allow me to travel to fantastic places, and are filled with interesting characters. Still, if I can't be in my own home, then being in someone else's is the next best thing. Homes are more comfortable spaces, more private, more personal, and more relaxed.
When Michele, my friend and former boss, asked if I'd like to stay with her relative in Queensland, I had to take a few days to respond. I didn't realize Queensland is the giant state encompassing the whole northeast section of Australia where I'd be spending 1/2 my time. Once I was caught up on my geography, I contacted Michael who lived in Trinity Beach a few miles north of tropical uber-resort town Cairns, and finalized the details of my arrival.
Michael met me at the bus stop, and drove me to my new home away from home for the next 2 nights. Apparently I'd earned some good karma because their home was set in virgin rainforest overlooking the ocean. I had to take a photo of the bed because it's the polar opposite of what I'm normally sleeping on in hostels – big, comfortable, clean! What more could I need?
Ok, I don't *need* to go swim in a gorgeous infinity pool overlooking the Great Barrier Reef, however it couldn't hurt! Michael, and his wife Ann, treated me like part of the family. They barbecued bacon-wrapped filets for dinner, which were accompanied by potato gratin and salad. Dessert consisted of fresh berries and cream. We ate on the porch with the sounds (and mosquitoes) of the rainforest around us. They had told me about a resident tree frog who hangs around, and sure enough he made his presence known after dinner. As you can see below, he's a VERY photogenic tree frog.
Planning a trip? Go Backpacking uses and recommends:
- G Adventures for small group tours
- Skyscanner for researching flights
- Hostelworld for booking hostels
- Airbnb for renting rooms and homes
- Rail Europe for train passes
- World Nomads for travel insurance
i love bacon wrapped filet mingon! mmm thats a cool frog photo. Id be too afraid to swim in the pool. looks too rich a place for my taste :) very pretty view tho.
i love bacon wrapped filet mingon! mmm thats a cool frog photo. Id be too afraid to swim in the pool. looks too rich a place for my taste :) very pretty view tho.
Wow living like a rock star nice view and the frog adds a touch of wilderness!! Good things come to those who are good!! Thanks Michele’s family!!
Wow living like a rock star nice view and the frog adds a touch of wilderness!! Good things come to those who are good!! Thanks Michele’s family!!
Almost forgot to congratulate you on your 2 months on the road now WoW :!: :!: :!:
Almost forgot to congratulate you on your 2 months on the road now WoW :!: :!: :!:
Livin’ large in Trinity Beach! Go, Dave! :mrgreen:
Whooo-ha!
Livin’ large in Trinity Beach! Go, Dave! :mrgreen:
Whooo-ha!
Wow, it’s awesome when stuff like that works out! I totally want their house! ***kango suz wonders what it will take to expat to Australia***
How nice of the frog to pose for you, you’re collecting quite a good set of ‘small animal/arachnid/bug’ pictures. You should do a photo montage on Flikr when you get back (cuz now isn’t when you want to be spending your time in front of a computer screen any longer than to take care of your adoring fans…)
I’m actually quite excited to see what kind of photo/video montage I can put together. Getting good video clips is a bit trickier. I’m overdue to post a few. We’ll see how the connections are in Bali.
Wow, it’s awesome when stuff like that works out! I totally want their house! ***kango suz wonders what it will take to expat to Australia***
How nice of the frog to pose for you, you’re collecting quite a good set of ‘small animal/arachnid/bug’ pictures. You should do a photo montage on Flikr when you get back (cuz now isn’t when you want to be spending your time in front of a computer screen any longer than to take care of your adoring fans…)
I’m actually quite excited to see what kind of photo/video montage I can put together. Getting good video clips is a bit trickier. I’m overdue to post a few. We’ll see how the connections are in Bali.
So glad it worked out for you Dave… I wish that I could have visited them too… considering I’m related and certainly miss them… I kept talking about going to see them when they lived in New Zealand (and never did) and now i’m talking about visiting them in Australia (and haven’t yet)… but there is still time… they haven’t talked about moving yet :-)
So glad it worked out for you Dave… I wish that I could have visited them too… considering I’m related and certainly miss them… I kept talking about going to see them when they lived in New Zealand (and never did) and now i’m talking about visiting them in Australia (and haven’t yet)… but there is still time… they haven’t talked about moving yet :-)