Sunshine Coast: Noosa

Here goes...everything.

Whale watching. Didn't see any, but I did see how high we were climbing in the plane made for ants.

I had to...

You guys! Meet Jeano. I died when I got the photos and found about 25 selfies just like this. Meanwhile I'm completely oblivious and just...what's up earth?

The one and only photo of the super 6. I like this one.

Surfer girl 101: Lessons by Lulu.

What this snow cone lacks in flavor it makes up for by being extremely photogenic.

My sweetest bean.

I make it a point to keep a serious log book of all the best ice cream shops worldwide and let me tell you what, Nitrogenie is in the top 5. Take the picture above as exhibit A. There are REAL chunks of salted caramel corn in the ice-cream. We made it a point to go here every other day.

You're wondering..."Why is this boy eating a leaf?" I don't know, but he's pretty dang cute so we let him do weird things like this while we take photos. 

Eumundi Market is the bomb.com for legitimate reasons. 

Since I started blogging as a means of public journaling, I've found some people want to know more deets about what I'm actually doing, the things I'm seeing and the places I'm going. You know when you find a really great photography location, beautiful book or a secret hike with a heavenly view and you're stoked to show someone so you can join together in a mutual state of stoke? That's how I feel about Australia. I'll try to make future posts a little more detailed (and put my phone number on my blog) so you can do everything I'm doing, then call and we can chat all night about how great it all is and become best friends. Just joking...but I'm crossing my little fingers you at least put Australia at the top of your wanderlust list. Also, don't hesitate to get ahold of me if you want to know anything about my travels. I'd LOVE to talk about it. 

Destination: Noosa, Queensland (about 90 min. north of Brisbane) 

Happenings: Horseback riding, surfing, ice cream licking, skydiving, sushi eating, etc.

Must sees/dos: If you're ever in Australia, you have to make a pit stop in Queensland and Noosa is a dang good choice. I'm a sucker for a good outdoor market and Eumundi definitely made the top of my list. It might have something to do with the fact that I found the best donuts I've had since I left the states there, but there's no way to know for sure. The market is chock full of little homemade, handcrafted goods. 

If you're beach folk, check out Noosa Main Beach. Cutest little stretch of sand and salty h20 there ever was with gentle waves and plenty of space to sprawl out. Also a hit, the cute cafes and shops strung along the ocean front on Hasting Street. 

Skydiving? DO IT **inserts Shia Labeouf clip**. I got my thrills in along Coolum Beach with Skydive Ramblers and was so happy happy happy I did. You know that quote, "Life begins at the end of your comfort zone?" Well, Anal Annie (that's me) literally jumped 14,000 ft. outside of hers. Believe me when I say I am not the type to spontaneously jump off of high things, but that's why I couldn't wipe the smile off my face for a day afterward. I broke through my only barrier, me, and redefined myself as Cassandra Skyway Dillard, girl who loves a good donut and jumps out of airplanes for kicks. 

Horseback riding was also a first and left me feeling a rush of giddy emotions that I can honestly say I haven't felt in years. Loved trotting along with Chappy the horse, taking in the beauty that is Weyba Lake and trying to spot kangas. Super happy with Noosa Horse Riding.

Food: For me, part of the joy of traveling is finding new places to feast. A few of my Noosa faves include Sushi Yah Man, Nitrogenie, Aromas and Donut Kitchen. Check em' out. 

P.S. Shoutout to my Aussie fam, the Chartres, for assisting my globe trotting goals and allowing me to tag along to some pretty sweet spots. 

Phillip Island

I'll give it to you straight. As of late I've been feeling the human struggle. It's messy and it's complicated and there isn't an individual walking this globe that isn't experiencing it. I think I can speak for virtually everyone when I say we're in the midst of a personal dilemma. Some live's are currently overcome with loss. Some are full of light and clarity. Some are full of misery and confusion. And some are just full, spilling over with too much cash, cars, clothes, employment, donuts, etc. I'm not the ultimate explorer, but in my 22 years of experience navigating my lanky legs around this floating sphere snippets of life come into focus while others blur. As I sit here type type typing and some areas of this running diary (full of blur and clarity) I keep in my head are hazy, I'm certain of something. 
Direction is much more important than speed. As I look around I can't help but find evidence of this everywhere. If I live to be a hundred, I've lived 1/5 my life. Not much. I've got so many seconds before me (or so I hope) and as they tick all I've got to do is aim in the right direction. 
I want to introduce you to someone very dear to my heart. She is kind. She is loving and she is loved. But she is not without heartache. Ever since I can remember she has barely had her nose above the water, always treading along the edges of total engulfment, drowning in the weight of her problems. The pressure of relentless wave after wave suffocating hopes of happiness and better times ahead. I know what you're thinking, "Yet another depressing read on the internet." However, in the past few years she has literally turned her life around. She is facing the opposite direction. 360, so to speak. She is s l o w l y becoming who I think she was always meant to be. She's not happiest, but she is happier. She is not on the cover of Health magazine, but she is healthier. She's not at peace with everyone in her life, but she is more peaceful. She is not without darkness, but she is lighter. Her speed is slow, but there is movement and it's pushing her to higher ground. Cliche, but God does have a plan. He is so very aware of us (me, you and her). If we can only trust in his sweet company and keep our tip toes, baby steps, stumbles, trips, falls, jogs and sprints facing the illuminating light that is his love, he'll get us to where we need to be and not a second sooner than we need to be there.
Rant over.
Oh wait, and can we please all just pinky promise to practice patience towards one another because we are trying, gosh danget.