I awoke at approximately 6:20 am and departed from the parking lot near Noosa Main Beach. Today’s plan included a visit to Australia Zoo and a meetup with Seul-ki, a friend I had encountered on Fraser Island. Driving around Noosa, I enjoyed breakfast at another parking spot conveniently located in front of Toshi and Jeong’s school. With breakfast concluded, it was time to bid farewell to Noosa. The past few days had been delightful, filled with laughter and enjoyable moments alongside those two delightful Asians. Despite their limited English vocabulary, it brought a smile to my face, especially when Jeong had to repeat the same sentence five times.
Following breakfast, I set out for Australia Zoo, only to arrive well before the 9:30 am opening time. To pass the time, I opted to drive to Beerwah for some food shopping. In a local supermarket, I grabbed bread and chocolate. Seated outside, I enjoyed a coke and indulged in my chocolate while exchanging messages with colleagues back home—our amusing conversation heightened by the time difference, as they were heading to bed while my day was just beginning. Thirty minutes later, I reached the zoo.
The Australia Zoo
The admission fee for Australia Zoo was 59 dollars, and for an additional two dollars, I could explore the zoo’s hospital too—I couldn’t resist getting the complete experience. As I entered, I immersed myself in the surroundings, observing numerous school children. It immediately brought back memories of my time at the Secret Batu Zoo in Indonesia, and oh, how I longed for the company of Ario, Helmi, and AJ. Here, I doubted I’d stumble upon an encounter as cool as that, but it certainly brought a nostalgic smile to my face.
The expanses between the animal enclosures at Australia Zoo were vast, providing ample space for the animals, which was commendable. However, the relentless sun was taking its toll on me today. Periodically, I sought refuge in the shade to cool down and took breaks on the benches due to the considerable distances between the shelters. Despite the challenges, I managed to explore approximately 60% of the zoo, witnessing everything on my checklist—from koalas and kangaroos to turtles and crocodiles. It was an enjoyable experience. Around noon, I headed towards the exit.
I strolled back to my car, deciding to grab some lunch as hunger set in. Finding a spot on the side of the parking lot beneath a tree, I noticed passing cars curiously glancing at my impromptu picnic. With a loaf of bread on my lap, I assembled peanut butter sandwiches, savoring the simplicity of the moment. “What a life,” I thought, relishing the unconventional aspects—sleeping like a hobo in car parks, brushing my teeth in lively bars, hunting for showers, and planning my route. Tonight, I had the comfort of staying at Seul-ki’s place, given the nod by her kind-hearted grandpa. Grateful for the accommodation, I promised to bring a gift and learned he had a fondness for fruit. Determined to please, I planned to pick up some mangosteens, my favorite Indonesian fruit.
The Australia Zoo’s Hospital
Following breakfast, I strolled across the vast parking lot to Australia Zoo’s hospital. Exploring the facility and reading the stories was a pleasant experience, evoking memories of my seven months working in a hospital. At the moment, I was the sole visitor, but given the small exhibition size, it was to be expected.
A film showcased the dedicated care provided by the hospital staff, featuring a scene of a spinal tap performed on a seal. This brought back memories of my colleagues in the neurology ward at the hospital in Amsterdam. I couldn’t help but feel a sense of longing for them—remarkable individuals with an abundance of love for their patients.
On the Road to Seul-ki
Thirty minutes later, I departed from Australia Zoo and hit the road, signaling the end of my visit. Steering away from the Steve Irwin road, I made my way back to the highway, aiming for Brisbane. This time, I was determined to steer clear of toll roads, tunnels, and bridges. I had unintentionally entered a toll tunnel the previous day, resulting in a series of inconveniences as I had to make calls to the companies to ensure they received my payment.
My GPS performed admirably, and I believe I successfully circumvented a toll bridge. Navigating through Brisbane was once again a delightful experience, with the captivating skyline adding to my enjoyment. The city exuded a calming atmosphere, and as I continued on the Pacific Highway heading south, I couldn’t help but feel relaxed. Seul-ki resided with her grandpa in the sugarcane fields, situated 10 kilometers north of Australia’s Gold Coast. Armed with her address, the GPS was set to guide me to their location.
An Unexpected Traffic Jam
About ten kilometers south of Brisbane, I encountered my initial taste of a traffic jam, a surprising occurrence in Australia. Presumably, the congestion was a result of ongoing road works. In an attempt to bypass the situation, I followed my GPS’s advice to leave the highway and find an alternative route. Unfortunately, my decision took a turn for the worse as the exit lane itself was clogged with cars.
After taking a 30-minute detour, I opted to return to the highway and endure the traffic jam instead. I sent a text to Seul-ki, informing her of the delay caused by the congestion. Fortunately, the traffic began to move again ten minutes later. The situation was tricky, as the speed fluctuated from 100 kilometers per hour to a sudden slowdown to 10 kilometers per hour. This became more challenging due to the prevalent tailgating culture in Australia.
Arrival at Seul-ki
I reached Seul-ki’s house at approximately 4:30 pm and introduced myself to her grandpa. He warmly welcomed me, allowing me to use their facilities and stay overnight. Grateful for his hospitality, I expressed my thanks, a sentiment I repeated several times the next day. Seul-ki’s grandpa, despite experiencing significant back pain, was kind and insisted I didn’t need to set up the stretcher bed—he planned to do it himself. However, Seul-ki intervened, telling him that I would take care of it instead.
Originally, the idea was to head to Gold Coast, but Seul-ki’s grandpa suggested a change of plans—Sanctuary Cove. He mentioned it was quieter and an ideal spot for dinner. Taking his advice, we went there and were pleasantly surprised by the beauty of Sanctuary Cove. Recognized as an affluent area, the roads were adorned with exquisite red brick stones, and the surroundings looked impeccably new. We strolled around the harbor for about 30 minutes, engaged in conversation along the way.
Mount Tamborine
At Seul-ki’s suggestion, we decided to visit Mount Tamborine for its cool atmosphere, and that’s exactly what we did. The journey up was filled with winding roads, and I couldn’t help but anticipate the return trip. Upon reaching the village of Tamborine at the mountain’s summit, it was already dark—extremely dark, with no streetlights in sight. Exhausted from a day of driving, I was eager to find a restaurant. Unfortunately, the first one we liked was fully booked for a wedding, and another was closed. In the end, we settled for a small cafe with mediocre food.
Over dinner, Seul-ki opened up about her situation with her grandpa, clarifying their relationship. Although he was her grandfather, their connection originated from her internship at the local power plant, where they initially met. Surprisingly, she now lived with him, and I learned that Seul-ki wasn’t originally Australian; her grandpa was someone she encountered during her internship. Their conversations often revolved around the company, and they shared similar opinions. She had been living with him for a week, and I marveled at the unique bond they had formed. Witnessing the kindness and helpfulness of Seul-ki’s grandpa left me in awe. Notably, Seul-ki is twenty years old, while Jeff, her grandpa, is a man of 72 years old.
Grateful Rest
By 10 pm, we returned to their house after a long drive. Seul-ki, to my amusement, proved to be a less-than-stellar navigator, struggling to recall the way home, but I quickly took charge and found the right road. Upon our arrival, her grandpa had already retired to bed. I settled onto my guest bed, placing my cushion and sleeping bag for added comfort. The arrangement was incredibly cozy, and I felt truly fortunate. Jeff’s kindness in providing me with a sleeping place was much appreciated. While Seul-ki opted for a shower, I decided to postpone mine until the morning. Within minutes, I drifted off to sleep, finding the bed both comfortable and secure. It had been a week since I last experienced a proper night’s rest at my family’s home in Rockhampton.
