Mooloolaba

Yes, it's a real place. We have been here for a week, doing lots of different things. We rented a car and took a trip to Brisbane, about an hour and a half south of Mooloolaba...in good practice for driving our camper van down to Melbourne I drove for the first time on the opposite side of the car and road, and did a pretty bomb parallel parking job too. We've met tons of great people here, including Jessica Watson's parents and siblings (a 16-year old who is currently sailing solo around the world, trying to become the youngest to do so). The marina seemed to know I was coming and that I needed a bit of Christmas cheer, because the most ridiculous kick off to the christmas season happened the second night we were here. The Mooloolaba Marina hosted its annual Christmas Parade...about 50 boats decorated themselves with lights and drove through a few canals for about an hour, where the yacht club gave out prizes at the end of the night for best decorations, etc. It was just what I needed to get me in the Christmas spirit, since it doesn't seem much like the holidays in the 80 degree heat and such close proximity to the beach.

freak storm in the marina!

amazing sunset before the storm hit

christmas parade!

our decorations...

the travelling band