30 degrees, and winter has arrived!
07 May 2010 | Townsville, Far North QLD, Australia
Lori / 20-25 Knots SE - 2-3metre seas
Part 1.
Let me start by saying - MY GAWD. This is TOWNSVILLE? Its pretty fantastic here, people are OVERTLY super friendly (in the marina), helpful, kind, its rugged, old fashioned, pretty, clean, safe (or the 2KM we walked and know about), nice, sweet, what you expect and want from an OLD-ish town, historic buildings galore - adding to the ambience. A sea museum, a great marina, 2 or 3 more, RESTAURANTS, and pubs, and cafes, taxi ranks, shops.....wow!
What the?
When I was here last in 2005, I truly dont remember this fantastic city being this fantastic (mind you its been 4 short hours.).
Its taken us a lot more LONG hours to get her. Its been a few big crazy days.
Which I shall indulge in eventually, Im hiding them deep down inside! DEEP, deep deep, down inside.
Well not really, but we / am I utterly shattered from today's YELL-a-thon, well to be fair, that lasted 4 seconds! Today was just a continuous of yuck from the day before.
So, as I was rambling (Im watching Masterchief as well-another reason I LOVE being 12KN close to land ((or such) I get some TV to blank out too.) (Oh and Ever and Michel are sleeping, so I get to indulge in way too much chocolate, and super sweet tea.
Tonight, Michel and I and Ever, went out to dinner at "Benny's Wok" on Palmer Street. (This street has BOOMED).
If you dont know, T'ville is a bitter sweet memory for me, as this is my first Port O' Call in 2005 after I left Kabul, Afghanistan. I came here, as a PADI Dive Instructor to become a Commercial Dive Medic. Now if you know your Dive Types, you know that these are like chalk and cheese.
Anywhoooooo- I used to work in Benny's whilst studying and I truly only ate there once. But every night I slaved away, (waitressed-not so much slaved) it was always super busy, which is a good sign.
5 years on, its still super busy, serving mine and Michels favourite wine (Shaw and Smyth - South Australia), and great San Choy Boy, Mongolian Lamb, and something or other duck stir fry!
Ever was at the point of 'DAMN Parentals, it was a massive day on the water for me, I dont wanna eat, I dont wanna drink, I dont wanna have none of your cuddles, I WANT *something* - cant think of it now....' and was pretty irritable, but fell asleep in my ERGO (buy one if you have a child) carrier (child must e under 4 - FYI) on the walk back to the marina.
Soooo - YES, Ive some stories to tell, YES, it was a few big days on the water, and NO, I cant make it humorous or funny right now. I need more tea.
Kisses and love, and WOW - Townsville, Im sure some backpackers book or another can tell you, visit it. Me, on the second round, its so far not so bad.