just got back from a long weekend adventure. with franny in australia, i took last friday and today (monday) off from school to go play. now i'm absolutely exhausted, and i can barely remember what we've done and where we've gone.

let's see... friday i flew up to Brisbane. unfortunately, franny missed her bus from Noosa, and i ended up sitting in the airport for a couple of hours. i had brought some work with me, so it wasn't a waste of time, and it was raining anyway. after meeting up and going for some dim sum, we headed for Stradbroke Island (affectionately known as Straddie).

we spent saturday just walking about some of the beaches/pathways/lookouts on the northern parts of the island. it was absolutely gorgeous. i forgot to bring my camera, so i'll have to wait to get franny's pictures so i can post them. we even saw wild dolphins playing in the surf, with whales off in the distance. incredible!!

sunday we were in Gold Coast, in Surfer's Paradise. i was in Gold Coast last Easter, but my friend and her family, who are locals, practically forbade me from spending time in Surfer's Paradise. i've always had lingering feelings about not checking it out regardless, and well now that i have, i understand why they kept me away from it. it was so commercial and filled with neon lights, loads of people, and cheesey tourist traps. fortunately, the beach there is really nice, with great waves (making it ideal for surfers) and you can understand the original draw for developing there.

sunday afternoon we headed further south to an area called Tweed Heads, and participated on the Catch-A-Crab tour. it was kinda cheesey but so much fun. you eat crab, feed pelicans, pull up crab pots/traps and go hunting for Yabbies. i felt like such a kid.

finally, sunday night and this morning we were in Byron's Bay. again, another beautiful beach, though distinct in it's own right. the town wasn't really to my liking, but the BnB we stayed at and the beach were worth it. franny even woke me at 6-something so we could go watch the sunrise from the beach.

it was such a wonderful trip, and it was really great having franny here. she's my last bit of home till i come home in december.

hope you're well. take care.