A Return to Noosa

While I have been in Coolangatta for five nights, I would like to recall two days recently spent in Noosa while en route to our current location.

Noosa is located at the northern end of Queensland's "Sunshine Coast," and is an area that Jessie and I like very much. I mean what surfer, or traveler, wouldn't like world class right hand point breaks, tropical waters teeming with life, national parks full of koalas, and upscale restaurants and shopping, all within a half mile radius? Honestly, NOOSA IS PARADISE.

However, despite the features I just mentioned, surfers visiting Noosa want SURF. Unfortunately, I was not greeted with waves and had to resort to other activities to keep me busy.

So, we went spear fishing... and caught dinner; two nights in a row. While the ray that Jessie speared was a little slimy, all the other fish was delicious, especially when served with fresh mango salsa in a soft taco, eaten waterside with a brilliant setting sun. And... we made some sand/stone art. Which was well received by those who passed by.

Then, the surf was flat again... So, we called Tom Wegener, professional surfer, and surfboard maker. After a quick conversation, we were invited out to his house, where we got some one-on-one time with the master shaper. Turns out he spends most of his time shaping alaias - finless surfboards shaped from Paulownia wood (a wood that is light weight, durable, and hydrophobic). "Tom" (what we can call him now that we are mates) is an amiable character, an American expat who married a Australian radio host. He lives in a quaint little house in Cooroy, a rural area 25 mins from Noosa beachfront. He grows the Paulownia trees on his property, and even uses the wood shavings as mulch for the saplings he has planted. If the surf is good, he'll surf, and when it's flat he'll spend time shaping, playing with his dog, and tending to his family.

Although I bought a t-shirt from Tom, I definitely couldn't put a price on having his young and generous daughter offer Jessie and I a piece of Play-doh pizza. While we thought it might be a little salty, it was a nice offer.