It's hard to believe I've been in Australia for about a month now (well 4 weeks, but close enough!). I've been getting up earlier in the mornings now, about 7 or so, and taking a nice hour walk up the beach. It's been very relaxing, although I'd say there have been more mornings where I haven't been up early enough to bother - something referred to around here as the "Fuck That" complex :)
Nights have been quieter around here, with all the working people going to bed earlier, and getting up at 6am to get ready for work (crazy bunch, all of them!). Then there's the ones that get up at 6am to just go surfing. Even crazier if you ask me.
I went out for another try on the longboards, and this time conditions were a lot more favourable. I caught a couple waves, and even stood up a couple of times, but not for long enough to really enjoy it - kept slipping right off the board. It's not nearly easy as it looks! I've also gone out swimming in the ocean almost daily now, which is really relaxing too.
The Full Moon Party I promised to write about wasn't really anything special looking back on it - the only real difference between any other night was that most of us, about 25 or so, went down to the beach with a few guitars, a drum, harmonica, and just had a jam session for an hour or so, before midnight. Then we all howled at the moon at midnight, and came back to the firepit to drink a bit more before crashing. Now if you think that ending the night at 1am is an early night, you haven't been here :> Time is definitely strange here, with the sunrise at 5:30am, days starting at 7ish, sun setting at 6pm and by 11pm or so, most people have already gone to sleep.
A couple nights ago a few of us decided that we wanted to see the sunrise. Instead of just setting our alarms and waking up at 5am, which was obviously too difficult to our red wine soaked brains, staying up all night was the option chosen. It was a beautiful sunrise over the ocean, I'll admit, but I think the next time I get the urge to watch the sunrise again, I'll be setting my alarm. Alas I didn't have any film in my camera for photos, but someone with a digital took a few, so as soon as I get my hands on them, I'll put them up.
For a few days over the weekend the regular chef, who I've been helping, went away to take a much needed break. I was left in charge of meals for a few nights, which turned out mostly okay (except for the one I had to make after being up all night for the sunrise, which was just edible). I can understand why the chef needs a break - it's pretty stressful to be cooking for 4 or 5 hours, trying to feed 30 or 40 people, not knowing who's going to be buying food, who's not, working within a limited budget for ingredients, yada yada yada. I could go on but I'm sure you get the point, it's just a royal pain. I've been asked if the chef leaves, or goes elsewhere for work, if I wanted to take it over full time, to which I said "Fuck That". I may cook a couple nights a week, but not 7 days a week!
And it's off to the beach for a swim for me :)
