Desert Wanderers: Mooloolaba Australia ( say that three times!)

I woke up this morning and found out we aren’t alone in the ocean! Everywhere I looked there were cargo ships.

Australia has the 14 highest economy in the world and the amount of ships I see would certainly be an indication of how much shipping goes on up and down the coast of the country!

This morning we are anchored out side a resort town named Mooloolaba. (moo-LOO-laba) with an accent on the second syllable . I have been practicing pronunciation for two weeks and still feel like my mouth is full of vowels.

Viking has never been to this city before so no one really have any idea of what to expect. This is called the Sunshine Coast. Can’t really find a great reason except that for marketing it sure sounds better and more exciting that Near North Coast! This town is about one hour from the city of Brisbane.

Typical Queensland style of house

Many houses are on stilts

Coming up to a winery. Interesting that it’s shaped like a barrel

We were welcomed and led to a patio area outside. The tables were set and platters of three types of hummus and fried pita breads were on them.

I forgot to take a picture before… one white,one rose and two reds. All you can see of the hummus is my olive pits left! Wine was okay but not memorable.

The views from the parking lot were magnificent

The “bush” behind the winery. It was dense and looked unique

An interesting bloom on the trees/bushes by the building

I picked this off some bushes. I loved the beauty of the bloom but it had no fragrance.

We drove to a scenic significant eco-reserve in Jinibara county

The Glass Mountain range. These mountains ar volcanic plugs. There are 11 peaks found in the hinterland of Queensland’s Sunshine Coast. The mountains hold great spiritual significance for First Nation Peoples.

Can’t tell you much about this picture except that I thought it was pretty.

Our trip included an hour or so shopping in a quaint little town named Montville up in the woods. This crocheted covered bike was out front of an arts and crafts store of local talent. It’s always fun for me to look and see what crafts local people engage in. There were sewn items, knitting, crochet pieces, and lots of drawings. Actually too many different but similar things for me to mention. Its nice to see crafters all over the world work on similar projects.

Al needed a big hug!

The small red roofed house is St. Mary’s

Doesn’t every one need a suction booster?? Not sure what its for but it gave us a good laugh.

All along both sides of the street the sidewalk was a beautiful brick pathway with lovely greenery. It made for a very pleasant walk

This is a mile marker. The sculpture adorns the circular marker in the ground. The circular marker reads” this marker is a sculptural marker of interwoven layers of history,geology,topography and human activity depicting present and past activities. This milestone draws upon surrounding landscapes of mountain ranges and winding roads punctuated with remnant rain forest and farmland,bounded by a network of property fences creating a jigsaw effect across the land.”