lessons learned

This is a long one, but today is all about learning lessons.

I got back from my 3 day Fraser Island excursion about an hour ago, and I am EXHAUSTED, and under -whelmed. I arrived in Hervey Bay Monday afternoon, and woke up at 6:00 am on Tuesday to go through the “orientation” of the Fraser Island trip. I had met an American previously in Arlie Beach, Rebecca, and we decided to do the trip together. As Rebecca and I were sitting at the hostel Paul, a German guy who was also in our hostel room in Arlie Beach walked past us. We called Paul over and he happened to be with two Americans from Colorado who I had also previously met at the hostel in Cairns. (small world). Paul was also with 2 other German guys, so the 7 of us decided to get in the same car. We were also put with 3 Irish, (one couple and the sister of the girlfriend) and an English bloke.

The 11 of us each chipped in $20 and two people (Paul, and the American Dina) went to the grocery store for our food for the next 3 days. Lesson number one- do not send a meat loving German food shopping for 10 other people. Our $220 dollar budget turned into $385, most of which was spent on meat. All types of meat. Chicken, mince meat, hot dogs, sausages, red meat, white meat, the other white meat… you get the point.

While Paul and Dina were food shopping 2 people volunteered to pack the 4x4 truck, while the remaining 6 of us watched a film about Dingos, other wildlife, the history of Fraser Island (its made up of 80% sand) and most importantly car safety, and how to use the 4x4. Which brings me to Lesson number 2: Don’t have the driver of your car pack the 4x4 and not watch the video on how to drive the car.

After the videos the folks at the 4x4 rental place asked for the first driver’s license (who had to be over 21 years old) and one person had to drop a credit card for bond in case something happened to the vehicle. Lesson number 3- ALWAYS ask the first person driving how old they are… ours happened to be 20, which means they were not insured on the vehicle should something happen. Lesson number 4- don’t be the idiot to drop the credit card should something happen.

We all got off safely in the car, all packed, and ready to go. Our group, group C, was in the lead with all the other cars following. Lesson number 5- don’t let a crazy German think its cool to speed and go around corners fast with a top heavy car .

Luckily we arrived at the ferry safely, but realized the two cars following us were no were to be found. Group B finally arrived with just seconds to spare to get their car onto the ferry, and they informed us that Group A, did in fact tip their car over and crash. (this crash made national news programs and newspapers). How our car did not tip with the crazy (emphasize crazy) underage German at the wheel I will never no. Needless to say we were all a bit scared after this happened.

We got to Fraser Island okay, drove in the sand for a bit, got stuck a few times (which we knew would happen) and had a picnic lunch. It was lovely. But oh wait, lesson number 6 is coming: never let a SECOND crazy German get behind the wheel and park the vehicle close to where the waves are breaking. YUP- we got stuck. The mud on the tires (and not in the good way like the country song) was over halfway up each tire. There was no way we were getting out of this! We all were positive that out trip was over, we ruined the car, and we were going to have to pay for damages. HOWEVER, someone was looking out for us and these 3 crazy aussies arrived. They had a rope in their car and pulled us out of the mud. Telling us that you could smell the burnt clutch from 100 meters up the beach. They said our clutch was burnt out, and we wouldn’t be able to drive the car anymore, and we were done for. They happened to have a friend not too far away that was an auto mechanic, and we would check our car for us. Skeptical of this situation right??? I wasn’t, but all 10 of the other were. We went to the mechanic anyhow, and luckily (despite everyone’s disbelief that these 3 beer guzzling unkempt men were giving us a run for our money) the mechanic said our car would be okay. Lesson number 7: I am always right. (I know most of you know that anyhow ☺).

So our car is good, we can finish our trip to the base camp now. We got to the base camp around 5:00 pm and I have never been so happy to get out of a moving vehicle. Of course these 3 CRAZY Germans, have been drinking since about 7 am, and are in the pisser. We manage to make dinner, and surprise surprise there is TOO MUCH MEAT. We figure we will save it for the next day. Lesson number 8: meat in heat = rancid garbage. We eat, stay up late, go to the beach and watch the stars (which were INCREDIBLE) and mingle with other people on excursions. We happen to meat this lovely local Aussie who is showing us the pictures of the dingo he saw that day, and a bunch of other pictures about his trip on Fraser Island. Lesson number 9: never tell an enthusiastic young aussie guy where your camp site is, unless you trust him completely. I go up to the tent earlier than 3 others, (Rebecca the American was already sleeping) and I pass out. I get woken up at about 2 am from Steve (the American from Colorado) yelling “DUDE, get out of this tent, it is NOT yours. You are drunk, you don’t belong here. Apparently this Man with no identity was trying to “cuddle/ get some action” from Steve’s Girlfriend who he snuggled up next to. Steve kicked this guy out of the tent, and we had no idea who it was that was in the tent until the next morning. I came upon a camera looked at the pictures to figure out whose it was, and sure enough the dingo picture was there. Lesson number 10- if you are going to try to do some sneaky shit, don’t leave behind your personal belongs, like pictures of you, in your truck, license plate clearly visible. Asshole.

The following morning, we all manage to wake up at 6am, pack our stuff, eat breakfast and head out to Champagne Falls. A LONG walk (about an hour each way) through HOT sand. I even got a blister of my toe the sane was so hot. At Champagne Falls we swam for a bit, laid out, walked around, and headed back to the truck. Lesson number 11: when the tour company tells your to leave at a certain time due to tides, you listen. We left an hour earlier than what was recommended and it was one of the scarier moments in my life, bumpy, going thorough huge washouts, thinking we were going to tip, and just overall not fun.

We make it back to base camp, and once again I have never been so happy to get out of the car. We got back around 2:00 pm and what was there to do? Not a whole lot, so we drank. I wasn’t feeling well at this point, a killer migraine, and start of a sore throat, so I took it fairly easy, and went to bed by 9 pm, because I was in a lot of pain. I have never had worse nights sleep. Lesson number 12 do not, I repeat DO NOT sleep next to someone who snores and has a cough that coughs in your face every 10 minutes. I woke up feeling like death. Never in all my life have I had a headache like I have had all day today. Nothing got rid of the pain, and I am finally able to see straight, hopefully tonight I wont be in too much pain. Anyhow- we took off this morning about 8 am from the campsite and went to McKenzie lake. STUNNING. It reminds me of White Haven Beach, but not nearly as stunning. We were at McKenzie Lake for a few hours before we headed back to the ferry. The 30 minute ferry ride ended and we headed to get some food at Hungry Jacks. (Same thing as Burger King in the states). Lesson number 13 always return your car immediately, even if they brochure they give you says be back by 5:00. We got lectured when we arrived at 4:45, and after the rental company checked through all our equipment, we ended up paying $6 for a missing spatula. Fuckers steal every single cent they can off of backpackers. It is complete and udder shit.

I got back to the hostel tonight, took a MUCH needed shower, and I am ready to hit the sack and it is only 7:30 pm. I have an early start tomorrow, catching a bus to Noosa at 8:00 am, which means I have to be at the shuttle service to the bus station at 7:00 am.

This blog is long I know, but I hope you learned many a lesson.