I had three goals for this trip…the first one was spending some real time as a family which we have definitely achieved, so much so I’m now craving a little bit of space, I mean I love them dearly but this one room living is getting a bit much! Second was to really focus on my mindfulness practise……..ummm apart from hanging out with the Buddhist Monks in Cambodia this needs a lot more work and third was to learn to surf! A week in Coolum Bay on the Sunshine Coast was the perfect spot for beginners Surf School. Off we headed each morning at 6.30 for a two hour lesson whilst the sun was coming up and glistening off the waves – Pads unsurprisingly decided to keep his dignity in tact and watch from the shore! After some near mishaps with surfboards being flung everywhere, bikini bottoms flying periously low and an awful lot of sea water swallowed we all managed to catch our first wave! Apparently I have a very strong “pop” which I took great delight in relaying to Pads at every opportunity….. I knew those burpees would pay off! Watching the videos back it definitely didn’t look as impressive as it felt – I could have sworn the waves were three times the size and that we went much faster! Pads couldn’t contain his hysterics when he pointed out the instructor was holding the back of our boards for most of our successful attempts! We bloody loved it and left Surf School week with faces more tanned than the rest of our body and sore in places I didn’t know existed…..bring on Surf School New Zealand….h
Just to top off a bit more water fun we found out that Coolum is also home to the world’s biggest Aquapark – there was no getting out of taking the kids to this one. We’ve got a pre arranged Watkins/Lowen family Bewl Water Aquapark date booked for when we’re back in July so thought we should put in some proper training. Bloody hell…I have a new found respect for Wipeout contestants ….. I was bloody rubbish and I swear there was more dignity in childbirth than there was trying to complete this course…my stomach hurt from laughter and my bottom from falling on it far too much!
After a quick visit to Australia Zoo which after our ridiculously wonderful wildlife experiences across Africa was a bit of a disappointment we hit BrisVegas….a super fun city. The food was some of the best we have had, the art scene was incredible and G got the opportunity to practise some of his stand up comedy……was incredibly funny after second glass of wine!
Worldwide Wanderers 