Day 5 - Fraser Island Part I

We spent some time in Brisbane on our way to Fraser Island...did some shopping and more time getting to know each other. We passed through a town called Maryborough which is the home of the author of Mary Poppins. Pretty cool. :)
Another interesting fact...90% of Australians live within 10 km of the coastline...and after two days in Fraser Island, I know why. But I digress...
We boarded a ferry to get to the Island...a very beautiful 40 minute boat ride. Then we checked into our lodges - we stayed at the Wilderness Lodge there, and it literally was exactly that. Very, very peaceful, but a little scary because of the creatures...deadly spiders, snakes, dingos, etc. And then there are these huge dragon lizard things. They are really cool!! Not afraid of just walking right by ya! Have tons of pics of those. :)
In the evening, we stayed down at the Dingo Bar where dinner was and chatted all together. I had a long and really great conversation with Vicky (my hilarious Brit friend), Craig (the tour guide), and Tim (one of the new people that joined our group in the Gold Coast). We talked about why we are all here, our life experiences, and trials and hard times. It's pretty crazy how many things we all have in common even from being from other sides of the world.
When they teach you to surf, one of the things the instructor shows you is how to make it out in the ocean to where you catch the waves. You have to hold the board a certain way so that it's easy to carry out and so that it doesn't get swept away by the waves when they come at you as you get farther out. Then you learn how to move and handle your body so that you don't get knocked down either when the waves come. When you are heading against an approaching wave, you are taught to dig your feet down and position your body to where you hold your ground, and then literally thrust yourself into or against the wave as opposed to just standing there and letting it overtake you. You face the wave and push against it, and you don't get knocked down. Much like heartbreak and hard times, isn't it? If you go into them knowing you can overcome it, you will be a forced to be reckoned with and nothing can overtake you.
See, I knew Australia had lots in store for me...