Lifeʻs a Beach
We have arrived!
Looking back towards America!
After more than 24-hours of travel from our hotel in San Francisco to our vacation rental home in Coolum Beach, we were met with a sunny 75F / 24C weather, and a chance to finally relax.
But we had to pay some international travel dues along the way.
A wait of more than an hour met us in Brisbane before our 11 bags were available to collect. (A delay for all passengers on our flight). Fortunately we whisked through customs and immigration without delay or having to remove all our bags from the trolleys. Together our bags weigh close to 500 lbs / 225 kgs and itʻs been a lot of work lifting and moving them through the travel stages.
Finally, freedom from mask-wearing and incessant queuing was in sight.
But we were foiled once again at car rental. Paperwork needed confirmation and correction. The cost of our car rented months ago had doubled in price at todayʻs rates. Eventually things got sorted.
The rest of that day was a bit of a blur. We showed Rose and Ruth around the small village of Coolum Beach and got some basic shopping and orientation done.
The next full day, we awoke very early due to jet lag. We decided to watch the sunrise at a popular lookout just 5-minutes walk away. Unfortunately, a heavy fog hid the sun. But a growing light enticed us to go walk on the beach. We headed down the boardwalk from the lookout to the beach where the fog eventually lifted, then wandered home again in full sunlight.
Our first full day at Coolum Beach was full of good food, easy walking, a welcoming beach, friendly locals, and surrounded by bird song - from Kookaburraʻs in early morning to Rainbow Lorikeets all day long.
Happy, happy!