Cricky!

Initially, I was hesitant about travelling to the Queensland coast area, as I thought I would get bored being here. This area is similar to Florida in temperatures, small towns and has the scenery of N. Carolina. Brisbane, the main city, and its neighbourhoods, is the fastest growing area in Australia. Everyone relocates here for the weather and the slower pace of life. My cousin Adam, his wife Sheryl and their son Jesse live about 40 min. N of Brisbane, near the Sunshine Coast and here was to be my lovely home base for the next 2 weeks.
As I was saying, I was certain I would get bored residing in a place surrounded by lushes mountains, singing parrots, clean air, and views of the surrounding landscapes (pic above) - w/ beach access only a short 20 min. drive away. Would this uber urbanite be able to adjust to such a utopia? At my cousin's, I given a big, comfortable room, with a heavenly bed (mind you I'd been sleeping on what seemed like cardboard in comparison prior to this.) The room caught the morning sun, and had direct access to a lovely tweak deck & pool area. At times, the atmosphere felt like a resort in Fiji. (minus the men in skirts)
The two weeks were filled to the brim with activities, (window) shopping and dinner invites so the time passed without hesitation. I was reunited with former friends I hadn't seen or spoken to in many, many moons. One family, the Pratts (JoAnn, Peter, Dan & Nat) and I became fast friends as they lived only a few doors down. The 8 of us got together often to break bread & socialize. Sheryl & I spent many enjoyable moments amusing ourselves in boutique shops, cafe's and driving the lovely, windy roads of Queensland.The first Sunday there, was to be my first (and last) mtn climbing excursion. I was warned this would be hard, though I was confident these new lungs could handle it. What Adam failed to mention was the part where one needed to scale the side of the mtn - inserting feet/hands into crevices pulling oneselve up, type-of-climb. The kids basically ran up, as kids do, the adults took their time but made it as well,.... then there was me, pondering what to do, as I was afraid of heights (at this time). The angle of the climb meant if I leaned to far back whilst going up, I would literally roll down and off the mtn. Adam was a saint and both encouraged and literally helped me scale it. I was doing well, until hesitated and caught site of the splat factor. After that I was done,...spent - but too afraid to retreat. Somehow, w/Adam's aid, I was able to get back to level ground and wait for the rest of the crew. Because of the angle, the way down meant sliding on your rear and some pants, well, didn't make the climb in tact.
I had a unique opportunity one day, when I went out to buy some of the best yogurt this world produces at a local store (true). As I pulled up, I saw a few people roaming around, and about 4 black suits off to the side. As I got closer, I thought the one man looked familiar, so I says to one onlooker "hey, is that your PM". When he responded in the affirmative, I did what the other 4 people were doing, I lined up to shake the PM's hand. (John Howard). The strange aspect of this meeting, is that the PM, didn't seem very.., well,... important. I mean, he had this, regular- joe, type presence about him, which is why I didn't think he was anyone important. I mean even his bodyguards were positioned off to the side, as if they weren't too concerned about his safely. But then I thought about it and concluded that he, in fact, reflects the people. The Aussie's are a laid back, casual type people who are, as the PM, very approachable.Did I mention that I was neighbours with Mr & Mrs. Crikey - Steve Irwin zoo. His face was on billboards everywhere.
I was able to catch up with another set of old acquaintances, (Eve & Mark) which in turn, became friends by the time we parted. They live in the Gold Coast area, which is about 1hr south of Brisbane and is the playground of the Australians. This is the Ft. Lauderdale/Miami of Australia. It was a real pleasure to be invited to so many homes for dinner and over night and witness the unique family dynamic of each, whilst at the same time, feeling so welcomed and accepted. Again, the highlight will be the various people I was able to interact and connect with.In the end, the answer was a resounding 'no' - surprising to me, I didn't get board and because of the near perfect sunny weather, the local, the many interesting villages, views and people I meet, I didn't be bored or tired of this rural utopia.