To Infinity - and Beyond!!!

We're back, safe and sound, after 2 10-hour trips and 2 days in Kingscliff. And what a time we had!

We all left REALLY early on Tuesday morning, some to the airport, some by car. Those who flew made it quickly and easily, hiring an extra car on the other side (a cool blue Toyota Corolla hatchback, which I certainly wouldn't mind owning...). Those who went by car had another experience altogether.

We were doing good time, and planned lunch in Coff's Harbour, which should have been a mere 1/2 hour away at 12:30. Instead we were brought to a sudden stop in a 2-hour queue thanks to a truck that had munched itself in the forest by overturning on a tight corner. We were stopped reasonably close to the front - I'd hate to think how far the line of cars, trucks and utes went back behind us by the time we started to move! (Don't know what a "ute" is? Ask and you shall be informed! :) ) Waiting gave us a chance to get out and stretch the legs, chat to others in the same predicament, and photograph arb things like the sign for "Man Arm Creek" (what the...!?), a skeletal possum, long dead and dried, "training wheels" (train wheels) on the truck in front of us and a brightly coloured bug on the median. We walked, we sat, we made up junk about things we saw. Such is long-term tripping. When we finally moved past the accident scene (digital cameras at the ready), we were famished! Hungry Jacks was our first stop and we devoured some pretty good fast food. By the time we reached Kingscliff it was long dark, and it was only the next morning that we saw the beach, a mere row of houses between where we were staying and the shore.

Before 7 next morning I was up and walking the beach, but it started to rain once I reached the stoney jetty, so I had to turn back. Got a few photos of the shoreline, the early-morning surfers and one of the many amazing trees that grows on those parts, spreading wide on many roots and branches. If I weren't old and doddery I'd have climbed one!

Once all were up and fed, half of us climbed in the rental car and the rest got in the home car, and we split up for the day. Mom, J and I headed off to SeaWorld! Praying all the way that the rain which was now REALLY coming down would let up so we could see stuff. And it did! It didn't clear, but it didn't rain until just before the place closed.

We had an awesome time there. It was well worth the $60 (R360...but I shouldn't do exchange rates!) I paid. We saw all the shows, we went on most rides (I avoided the steep dragon-boat throw-you-down-the-waterfall one, but did do the volcanic mountain throw-you-down-a-dark-tunnel one), and took photos galore.

Again, we got home after dark to find the boys (and one girl) had been to Surfer's Paradise and various other places, checked out the awesome waves, done stuff like that.

Next morning EVERYONE got a late start, to the frustration of some (of us) who like to know where we're going, when, and why everyone else isn't ready yet... :) Unfortunately I was coming down with a very sore throat and had burnt my hands on hot water draining macaroni the previous night, so was already not in the best of moods.

But when all had gathered themselves into correct bundles, and had their hair done, and their cameras batteries changed, etc., etc., etc.... we again piled into 2 cars and took off for 10-pin bowling!

It wasn't my day. I came dead last on the first 2 games, and was feeling so rotten (flu, not sorry for myself) that I sat out the third. The others did well - especially mom, whose nails are actually coming off her hands from treatment, and the skin too, but who consistently came second or first! And here I was complaining about flu and a sore finger - I didn't think that was too great of me after a bit. J did OK, but did much better when he got a metal "aimer" in hand - a device made of pipes that you situate toward what you want to hit then roll the ball off of.

Lunch was up next, and we set off to find Sizzlers - a buffet-style all you can eat place. Somewhere around Surfer's Paradise the second car (of surfers and a wife) decided it was taking too long. We'd stopped at Lookout Point to find the most perfect sets curling into shore (pics soon!), and they were eager to get out into them on hired boards. So they went their way, we went ours - and made a good meal of it once we located the restaurant well down the road.

From there it was off to Infinity! Dad had been through, so the other 3 of us went in while he minded the car (and gingerly took my handbag back to it, trying not to look too effeminate). What an experience! We almost got lost in the first room, all mirrors and tiny pinpricks of light. We completely lost J by the second room and couldn't find an exit while the endless acceleration chamber lights sped past - until I noticed one of my reflections looked a bit further away, and found the door, and J. From then on it was one wild ride. The WORST was a totally dark room where you have to push past things in the pitch-black that feel like hands and body parts and intestines that suddenly glow. There was an Aussie guy and his daughter behind us, and as he touched the first one he said "sorry mate!" - it was all I could do not to laugh out loud, but I was too busy trying to get the hell out of there. There were rooms where you look like you're floating in space, a strobe-light room where mom couldn't see how the heck I was doing what I was doing (when I was simply moving around - I've been in strobe lights before and they're FUN!), a jelly-like floor room, an endless-depth bridge to cross, a passage where the walls fill with air and squeeze you in, areas lit by lazer - I can't even remember them all! But we went WAY too fast and all too soon we were out the other side. We should have taken it really, really slowly. Most of the time though we couldn't tell where we were, other than by the glow-in-the-dark gloves and shoe covers we wore, and it was quite something to find each exit from each room. What an experience!

On the way home, the parents decided I needed new takkies (sneakers, trainers - whatever you call them). The pair I live in dad bought for my birthday 9 years ago, and although they look gross they're still fine to me! Under protest I was dragged into A-Mart and fitted into size 10's (I'm an 8 in SA), which I have to admit look pretty good.

Again we were home in the dark, but beat the surfers to it. They came home with tales of awesome rides, encounters with the guy that basically started surfing in Australia, and having to hire really bad unbreakable boards.

Very, very early this morning (as in 5:30), we were all up again, packing up the house, washing the bedding, and getting ready to leave by 7. Another 10 hour drive, mostly in pouring rain, and we were home, again just after sunset. We saw some cool things on the way, including yet another overturned truck and a wonderful sunset.

And tonight I got my first taste of driving Sydney streets on my own (something I didn't want to do thanks to dad's hurtling trips through winding narrow streets, which scare the heck out of me!). Dad is busy with sermon prep, and sent me off to church to open up for someone, a 10-minute drive on a busy roadway. But with his powerful automatic Ford it was a dream. I don't mind looking cool in a silver streamlined car which probably cost a hell of a lot more than I could afford ever... :) Hung around the church a bit, but don't really know anyone. Worship team was practicing, youth group busy with their meeting, hall chairs being set out. I'll be helping with table decor for communion tomorrow, but that's about it. So a quick trip home, and the day is done.

Just time left for a good night's rest.

I'll bet your week was as exciting as mine! :)

PS While we were away I had a call on dad's cell/mobile from the bloke I saw last week re a job. I have an "interview" on Monday at a place an hour's drive from here, with the possibility of a position in Research & Development for Sanitarium foods (BIG company here) thanks to my Food Tech background. I'll also be meeting with the head of the Human Resources department for a face-to-face so he can check out other possibilities in the future. Before I got the call, I had this feeling that we'll be moving here soon. Too many things are lining up - the offer to pay our tickets from anon donors back in SA, this trip's timing, the meetings I've had and the opportunities that have come up, all tied in with the feeling that I could make a good life here. So keep me in your prayers, will you? I've left it up to the Big Man Upstairs as to what our future holds, and am willing to follow doors open either here or back home. It would just be nice to know where they are! :)