Where in the World

We have all heard the rumors that Australians are a wild, racist, xenophobic bunch; who enjoy hard labor and revel in celebration of their countries oceans and outback. A little bit of knowledge on the history of those who settled the continent explains it all, they were all convicts from Britain. Well of course the original settlers sadly were almost completely exterminated like most other native people around the world. The British sent their worst and dimmest on a long voyage across the Atlantic, and dumped them into what is now Sydney Harbor and Botany Bay; their solution to an increasing clash between the classes in Britain during the time. What a strangely unique and disturbing bit of history it truly is. No wonder Darwin thought poorly of the character of its inhabitants when he visited Australia on his way back to England after a long 5 year journey of discovery. In fact Australia as a whole left a sour taste in his mouth, although I suspect he was dying to get off the Beagle and back to England at that point.

Despite its history, the land down under today sounds like a fascinating place. And luckily I'll be staying on an island, perhaps this will buffer me from the masses. To the right is a map of where I'll be staying. It's just east of Brisbane on the other side of Moreton Bay. Apparently Moreton Island and North Stradbroke Island used to be one continuous stretch of sand. I'm told that the combination of a heavy swell, strong tides and current, and an unfortunate ship wreck that exploded, severed the sand spit in twain.