EMU PARK to DULULU

15/07/05. Arrived at "Bell Park Caravan Park" at Emu Park. As we came over the hill the ocean was so Blue it was like a turquoise color so brilliant, we could see the Singing Ship a Bi-centennial Monument to Cpt James Cook who passed this way over 200 years ago, it is made out of Cement and Stainless Steel Pipe's in the shape of a sail the pipe's are 0f different lengths and create an eerie sound as the wind blows through them.
That night we had happy hour at the Camp Kitchen where we met the Manager "Jim" and other camper's, and also met Judy & Adrian De Fontinay who like us, enjoy a Drink & Nibbles at these get to gethers, they would like to stay in touch after we leave Emu Park.
Walked the Beach today for about 2 - 1/2 km's, what a great spot, we are at one of our Highlights of the trip,
19/7/05. Met a few more Mexicans and a German woman "Monica" she told us of a farm stay they had been to up in the Northen Territory on a Buffalo Farm, she said that she would never go back there as it stunk,to many fly's, dust and wind, what the hell did she expect, Five star accommodation ?, The Singing Ship was so loud last night it drowned out the sound of a Colony of Flying fox that inhabit the dense Jungle at the back of the park, the manager said that there is a large number of Pythons that eat the Flying Foxes but as they only consume one a month they can't make a dent in there numbers.
Very strong winds throughout the night the Ship went off (Troppo), we have been told that in 2004 the Council had to pack cement in the Sails pipes to quieten it down a bit, the way it sounded they should BLAST it into the Sea.
Sandra got a fright when she went to the toilet and lifted the lid she saw a Green Tree Frog looking at her, campers have named it Peter?.
21/7/05 Drove into Rockhampton today - so much Sugar Cane around - walked around town, a lot of old Heratige Buildings, they really make the City. We had lunch in the Great Western Hotel which is owned by county & western singer Lee Kernighan, I had a 1 pound Rocky Rump and San had Lamb cutlets which she could not finish, they both had an Idaho potato and Vegies + Chips no Tea tonight or breky tomorrow?, the hotel has a Rodeo Arena out the back, very impressive.
22/7/05. Went out to Kepple Sands the wind was blowing a Gale, the rich blue ocean had turned a Dirty Brown color, so we headed back to camp.
Tonight there is a country & western singer singing at happy hour his name is T-Bone, I should have known, he is the local Butcher, and a very good singer- all up it has gone for 6 hours and I got as full as the last bus home, next day I am as crook as "Rookwood" and will need a couple of sick day's off.
Judy & Adrian have came in to tell us that they are going back home to Stanthorpe (QLD) as they have had enough of the Mexicans down there end of the park, they are all to Clicky and if you don't play Bowls your not with the in crowd (stuff em) they have also called in for coffee and bickies that has turned into, Beer,Wine & whisky "Struth" I don`t think that I will ever get over this hangover.
25/7/05. Today we went to "Koorana Crocodile Farm"at Coowonga where they have over 3000 croc`s most of them are bred here from wild stock that they have caught. Sandra held a 2 year old male croc and said that it felt so cool and so soft, there are some really huge croc's here, some at least 18ft long, one named "Rajah" came from India where it had killed it's Trainer and another.
A Female which Bit the bottom jaw off a male croc that had put its head into her enclosure - it was a Horrible sight to see it walking around with its huge tongue dragging on the ground. An aggressive croc, I have forgotten its name, it go's "Berserk" when the guide comes any where near it, he said they often do that to different guide's but he does not know why ? - as it is lunch time now we have came into the Kiosk, and to try some of the Croc Meat, Crocburgers are $12.95 and a Croc Steak is $29.99, not today for us we will have a Pie or 2 (beef).
The tour guide had a great wealth of knowledge about these fascinating animals, the admission price of $13 was money well spent.
27/7/05. Judy & Adrian rang to say that they have decided to stay in Rockhampton and we have met them in the Botanical Gardens that also has a very good zoo, and we also had a chat over a cup of coffee.
On the way back to Camp we bought some Pineapples for 50c each another bargain.
28/7/05. Messaged Bro Darryl as it is his Birthday today he is a few months younger than me. Today we have bought some T-Bone Steaks from Wayne the Singing Cowboy "Butcher", then drove out to Roslyn Harbor for more Seafood and a look at the amazing formations in the rocky mountains opposite the Fish Co-Op.
Later on went for a walk & swim on Emu Park beach, well it was more like Skinny Dipping as my tog's came of as I dove into a wave, there was no one about so "wot the heck" free as the day I was born. ( the Kids will be horrified)