Well it's been 3 months since I arrived here in the land of all things poisonous and deadly, and I don't mean the wild life :) lol just kidding. Since starting my new job I've found I'm not as busy but am always on the move, which would explain why when I'm home I just want to zone out.... for a couple of hours anyway. So far I've been to Cooktown, up past Cairns, the beautiful Airlie Beach, Bundaberg (yes home to the Bundaberg rum, good luck trying to get anything else), and plenty of other places. Am off to Mt ISA in a couple of weeks which should be really interesting. I find that I am mocking Australians speech less and less, I say less because I don't think I will ever truly stop. I have tried plenty of great bottles of Aussie wine, plenty of Shiraz and Riesling (although I am craving a glass of a big buttery oaky Gizzy Chardonnay). The Leasingham Bin 8 Riesling has become a steady fixture in my wine rack, along with the BVE E Bass Shiraz Tempranillo. Living in Tropical North Queensland has it's definite benefits, one of which I can't get enough of, the endless sunny warm days are great, the amazing yummy seafood is another, however I am missing having the luxury of driving 4-5 hours of being in a wine region, and strangely enough I am missing the cold weather, COLD NOT WET. I think that has something to do with the want to put on one of the many big jackets in my wardrobe.... Ahhh well they can sit and wait for the cold that will never come :)
Back to the animals, well the only close encounters that I've had there were in the space of 2 days, and one was in my house. Whilst I was sitting on the couch in the living room I saw something move out of the corner of my eye, I turned my head to see a spider the size of my hand come crawling into the living room. Funnily enough I didn't scream or jump around I just sat there thinking "I really need to find out what's poisonous in this country". My creepy crawly friend was swept out the front door to safety.
The next encounter left me a bit clueless. I was driving along my street whilst talking on my car kit to my Area Manager in Cairns. Just as I was about to turn into my driveway I notice a lizard the length of my arm blocking my access. Not knowing what to do I asked my Area Manager if I get out and shoo it away, all I got in response was an uncontrollable amount of laughter. So Shooing the lizard (I've since heard it was a Goanna) away was not a practical option. Whilst waiting for a sensible option from my Area Manager my reptilian friend crawled away. As for anything super dangerous, I am eagerly looking out my car window for my first croc sighting.