Jasmin in Australia: January 2011

I've been back in good old Germany for a week and a half now. My flight went smooth, only one hour delay. Ya, I was really lucky, I arrived on the 22nd and on the 23rd and 24th it started snowing A LOT! But that was the plan, I wanted a white Christmas :) It's been great to be back, although I am already losing my tan. I miss it already.

The last week in OZ was awesome as well. Went on a boat to the Great Barrier Reef and more particular to White Haven Beach. It is one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, with sand as white as snow, and water in so many blue shades, I would have to wiki them in order to tell you.
Fraser Island on the other hand, has to be discovered in a 4-wheeled-drive, because it is the biggest Sand Island in the world. It is three times the size of Singapore and has twice as much sand as the Sahara. Saw dolphins, lizards and a dingo! The highlight of the trip is Lake McKenzie. It is a freshwater lake in the middle of the island's rainforest (which btw is the only rainforest in the world that grows on sand). I must tell you now, that this lake has a beach which is apparently voted under the top 5 beaches in the world every year and the sand was even whiter than Whitehaven beach.

But, besides being concerned with which beach is the whitest in Oz, there are some other big news that followed us along the way. What does Australia care about?

5. Wikileaks.

I cannot say how many times they started a radio poll about what people think about it... seriously, get over it.

4. Surfing and Skating.

Never have I ever seen so many people surf and/or skate. Our guide on Fraser Island was about 23 and told us that he was planning to retire soon, so that he could live in a van and surf all day. The Australian dream.

3. Apples.

New Zealand was banned from importing apples to Australia, because of some apple disease that existed 200 years ago. This year the WTO decided that this ban is ridiculous and Australia being part of free trade has to allow the import of apples. Farmers had nervous breakdowns and the country is still shaken up.

2. Blizzards and Storms.

This was the wettest summer any Australian can remember. Yay lucky us... not! But, it was really bad and it is getting worse as we speak. Every day you would hear of somebody getting struck my lightening or drowning. Not cool.

1. Oprah.

Yupp, Australia paid Oprah something like $8million to get her down under and made about $80million. Highlight of the trip was her two part show in the Opera House. People went crazy mad. But her presents were only necklaces that the audience would receive in 6 to 8 weeks.

But now, let's turn back to some more pleasant stories and here come the promised pictures. I am going to buy some self-tanner now.