I got into Townsville yesterday after my epic 23-hour (!) train ride.
It wasn't bad, considering how long I was stuck on that train. There were several stops where we could get off the train and stretch, and the seats were a lot more comfortable on this train than the first two. I completely lucked out and got a solo seat for the third time, so it could have been a lot worse. There were outlets so I was able to charge my phone and camera battery, and a nice man even let me borrow his iphone charger so I could charge my ipod! The funniest part about this 23-hour train ride was that I thought it was an ELEVEN-hour train ride. Seriously. :/ I'm sure my sister is shaking her head right now, as are most of you. Somehow, in my delirious state (yes, I'm going to blame it on my lack of sleep from the first two trains, even though I booked this train journey almost two months ago), I did the math and thought that leaving Brisbane at 1 pm on Thursday and arriving in Townsville at noon on Friday meant I was on the train for 11 hours. I like to think I just couldn't fathom being stuck on a train for almost an entire day. Or I'm just bad at math. I was on the train for about an hour and as I was drifting off to sleep, I started thinking about the train, and the times, and the fact that I was arriving in Townsville at almost the same time of day as I was leaving Brisbane, and it occurred to me that I had been a little off in my calculations. HAHA! I could not believe I had another 22 hours to go. It was more than a little disappointing. But it was actually good because it gave me a lot more time to sleep, and I was able to get almost entirely caught up so I wasn't totally exhausted by the time I got into Townsville. And the guy who got on the train at the second stop and sat across the aisle from me was really cool. We talked throughout the train ride when we both weren't sleeping, and he assured me I'd see some kangaroos when we got farther north, but it rained most of the way up and the kangaroos never came out :( I still have yet to see a kangaroo, wallaby, koala, crocodile or dingo, but I'm planning on going to the Billabong Sanctuary while I'm here so hopefully I'll see all those creatures soon. :)
Townsville is really awesome and the scenery is gorgeous. There's a beautiful mountain close to my friend Jenny's place called Castle Hill and we plan on hiking up it tomorrow. Apparently there's a "goat track" where you can walk mostly up steps. Yay! Stair climbing in nature! The closest beach (The Strand) looks out at an island called Magnetic Island (the locals call it "Maggie"). I'm going to take a ferry out there next week to hike and lay out at the awesome beaches there, as long as it's not raining.
We're getting ready to go to the music festival soon. Daddy, it probably will be like Woodstock because it's supposed to rain sometime today. :D Sweet! Should be lots of fun. I'll post again soon to let you all know how it went.
I would say leave the math to Sarah, but we'll just assume you were tired :-)) Glad you got there sweetheart. Just for you, the Lakers swept the roadtrip and are now 11-2. Tonight against Minnesota, Barnes was 7-7 from the field, 5-5 from the line and 5-5 from 3 pont range. Best news: Oklahoma City won at Boston tonight without Durant!!!!
ReplyDeleteHi Marie~At least you had a place to stay for that extra night, and didn't have to couch surf!! You got to train surf!! So, who are you going to see at the Music Festival? Would I know any of the people? Is Keith Urban going to be there? Have fun and don't forget to apply your sunscreen!! ;)
ReplyDeleteAnd if it really is like Woodstock, leave your clothes on. Or some of them. Or.. well, just apply that sunscreen. Have FUN!! Auntie L
ReplyDeleteOf all of my nieces and nephews...I would have guessed that you would go to an Australian Woodstock! Pass on the brownies dear! Have fun and wallow in the mud if you get the chance! Love Aunt Connie
ReplyDeletehaha nice marie. That sucks that you were on the train for 23 hours. That is such a long time. I think the longest train I've been on was Paris-Berlin, and that was probably only like 10 hours. and it was paaaaainful. but at least you get to travel with friendly aussies. can't wait to hear about the music festival. it looks like it was nuts and tons of fun!
ReplyDeleteHappy Thanksgiving Marie!!!!!!!!!!!! Can't wait for next official blog update. Since I know this brings you joy, Miami has lost three in a row, and now sports a handsome 8-7 record. If they step it up and go 62-5 over their last 67 games, they can still win 70 games, just like almost everyone predicted!!!!!!hahahahahahaahahahahhahahahahahahahahahahahaha Love, Daddy
ReplyDeleteMarie... You have become a world traveler. Sounds like you're having the time of your life. I wonder if you ever met up with the Koalas and Giraffes by this time. Also pictures of your hosts (or male friends) are very interesting. Still want you to meet a nice matey and have some shrimp on the barbie. Love you. ....Grandma Rita
ReplyDeleteI refuse to tell you what I did at Woodstock, but with a few beers I'll tell you what your grandmother did there. Love, Grandpa Jan
ReplyDeleteDear Marie.... Don't believe what the One and Only said. In defense of my good reputation I was never at Woodstock... so there. Your grandfather is just trying to make you think he was the Big Macho Man at Woodstock. Bull pucky. ... There I said it and I'm glad... Love you .... Grandma Rita
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