Old home v new home

Victoria and Queensland. Similar but sometimes feel like a world apart.
Here's some differences, some subtle and others not so, that I have picked up on.

1. Queenslanders say true a lot. Eg) I say "this guy was born with six fingers but had four toes" they say "true"

2. Queenslanders have real tans although there is a lot of fake tan studios.

3. Not sure if it's Queensland or just Mackay but getting your haircut seems to be an expensive exercise. I was first quoted $210 just for half a head of foils and a trim. Extortion!

4. On the whole, there appears to be a lot less obese people in Mackay. Not sure if its the heat or what it is. If I had a set of scales I could test that theory.

5. Queenslanders refer to Year 12s as Grade 12s. Not sure why that is.

6. Queensland has Sizzlers, although the nearest one for me is in Rockhampton.

7. The pace of life is definitely a lot faster in Melbourne. I've noticed that in Queensland less people honk their horns.

8. Here kids generally finish school when they're 17, not 18 like in Victoria.

9. Melbourne is the place to be for live music. Gigs are few and far between in regional Queensland.

10. Apparently Queenslanders say "ay" at the end of most sentences but I haven't noticed.

So I am almost unpacked!
The hot water has been switched on, we have bought heaps of house stuff and just waiting for the TV aerial to be fixed.
The house is rad, I really love it. And we are only a $10 taxi ride or 15 minute walk to the centre of town.
It's been a massive week. Started when we got the keys on Monday, moved in Tuesday, cleaned and shopped the house Wednesday, had a big night out Friday and got on it again (although moderately) Saturday. Then I worked on Sunday!
I love that you can wake up everyday here and know that the sun is going to shine. However, you never know what's in the water... stingers, sometimes sharks and sometimes crocodiles.
It all makes for a good news story though I guess!
Don't know what else to say... how's life in Melbourne? I hear it's hot, hot, hot! My mum flew back on Wednesday and thinks she is the weatherman or something!
Time for a shower. Good thing it's hot, hot, hot!

Mackay part 1

Mackay...

Bigger and more stunning than what I had imagined.
I arrived on Tuesday afternoon, after a long drive, and I'm impressed with what I have seen of the town thus far.
The harbour, marina, shopping strip, restuarant, pubs, clubs, beaches and river - it's a beautiful city.
Then there's Airlie Beach which is less than two hours away, Eungela National Park which is a 1.5hr drive and Brampton Island (30 minute boat ride).
I think I am really going to like this place!
That is provided I can get a rental! Hoping for this cute three bedroom double-storey blue house near the city, should find out tomorrow. If not, I may be homeless!
This week, apart from house hunting, I have been doing all the tourist stuff. Today, we drove up to Shute Harbour (near Airlie) for a Whitsunday day cruise. The boat, twice Sydney to Hobart winner Raggamuffin, took us to Pearl Bay (off Hayman Island) where we got to snorkel along the Great Barrier Reef.
Yesterday, we checked out Mackay Harbour and the Marina, then on Wednesday we drove to Eungella NP to see the Cascade Falls.
We will see what the weekend brings and look forward to starting my new job on Monday!

Pearl Bay, Hayman Island

Cascade Falls, Eungella NP

Packing part 1

Wish I was in Mackay already! Just started packing... what a biatch! Actually, I haven't really been packing as such, more like throwing stuff out.
Funny what you find when you go through all the old stuff you had just shoved at the back of the closet. Spice girls CDs, school photos, university assignments, etc.
I have been merciless in my sorting of stuff - i have been chucking more than half I reckon. Don't know if it will be the same story when I get to my clothes! It's a real shame, I have all these nice winter clothes I bought this season but I doubt I will be needing them in sunny Mackay. The winter is like 23 degrees there!
However, I will be leaving my coats in Melbourne for when I come back to visit in fear that I may just freeze my nuts off (although I don't have any).
Strange to think I will be up there in two weeks. Also strange to think my brother is moving into my bedroom and that my family and friends will be 2,300km further away.
But, at the same time, I am very excited!

Moving out part 1

So I'm about to do something a little crazy...
I'm going to discard half of everything I own, pack the rest in my car and move to a place I've never been to. And I won't know a soul.
What's even crazier is that I'm really looking forward to it.
For those who haven't heard I'm moving to Mackay, a large regional town in northern tropical Queensland.
The average temperature in summer is a humid 30 degrees celsius, while winter days usually reach a balmy 22.
Did I mention Mackay is the "gateway" to the Whitsundays? It's also about a two-hour drive from the stunning Airlie Beach.
It will be a massive change. Moving out of the parents' house, a new job and new people.

The funny thing is that I have always pictured myself living near the beach... and it won't be long before I will be :)
I'll let you know how it goes...