Is apparently my job title. I have a feeling the actual manager was trying to make me feel less lowly. Which as he discovered, probably wasn't necessary.
So, I have my job down to a tee now, and it seems that being so anally retentive comes in useful when it comes to cleaning. Obviously, I've found my calling in life...
One of the perks in this line of work, that is cleaning a backpacker hostel, is being allowed to raid the fridge when guests leave. Often this is a fruitless experience as backpackers are more often than not strapped for cash and therefore do not purchase a huge amount of exciting produce. There are however exceptions... So far I have acquired, encouraged by the owner, half a watermelon and 4 bottles of wine! I have to say I haven't actually started on the wine, I'm contemplating saving it and throwing a Friendly backpacker party :)
Another of the nice things about working here is the people that I've met. Not only are the owner and manager of the hostel absolutely lovely and interesting people, the guests - though many of them are only passing through on their way to Fraser Island all have their stories to tell and recommendations for places to visit, and most are more than welcome to adopt a lone traveller in their plans for the evening. I've even started getting to know some of the persons about town - the family who run the cafe/restaurant '2nd Kitchen' (which in itself is highly recommendable if you're ever in Hervey Bay) and the man behind the checkout at the local supermarket have all been so interested in where I've come from and what I'm doing. The atmosphere round here is just so friendly!
Whoever said that Hervey Bay is sadly necessary as a gateway to Fraser, was doing it a great injustice. I admit that 2 weeks is probably too much time to spend here on holiday, but there is certainly a few days worth of interest. Walking along the miles and miles of beach for one thing provides plenty to look at. I've seen some truly peculiar creatures including what I assume to be baby 'Spanish Dancers' which are orange wormy things with ruffles which 'dance' through the water evading hermit crabs and other predators with amazing agility. There are miles of rockpools to explore further up the coast and some very disturbing Soldier Crabs, which when I first came across them, reminded me of the scarab beetles in the Mummy films, at which I had to get away from them as quickly as possible and then observe them from a distance. They burrow under the sand and leave tiny holes surrounded sand ball bearings. They also make excellent surfers.
Of course, there is Fraser Island to explore, which as yet I haven't done, but have heard that it is incredible from absolutely every single person who has stayed here! Personally, I'm trying to get up to Lady Elliot Island for a couple of days before I leave, and hopefully the green turtles will still be there for diving with.
Much love,
xxxxx
So, I have my job down to a tee now, and it seems that being so anally retentive comes in useful when it comes to cleaning. Obviously, I've found my calling in life...
One of the perks in this line of work, that is cleaning a backpacker hostel, is being allowed to raid the fridge when guests leave. Often this is a fruitless experience as backpackers are more often than not strapped for cash and therefore do not purchase a huge amount of exciting produce. There are however exceptions... So far I have acquired, encouraged by the owner, half a watermelon and 4 bottles of wine! I have to say I haven't actually started on the wine, I'm contemplating saving it and throwing a Friendly backpacker party :)
Another of the nice things about working here is the people that I've met. Not only are the owner and manager of the hostel absolutely lovely and interesting people, the guests - though many of them are only passing through on their way to Fraser Island all have their stories to tell and recommendations for places to visit, and most are more than welcome to adopt a lone traveller in their plans for the evening. I've even started getting to know some of the persons about town - the family who run the cafe/restaurant '2nd Kitchen' (which in itself is highly recommendable if you're ever in Hervey Bay) and the man behind the checkout at the local supermarket have all been so interested in where I've come from and what I'm doing. The atmosphere round here is just so friendly!
Whoever said that Hervey Bay is sadly necessary as a gateway to Fraser, was doing it a great injustice. I admit that 2 weeks is probably too much time to spend here on holiday, but there is certainly a few days worth of interest. Walking along the miles and miles of beach for one thing provides plenty to look at. I've seen some truly peculiar creatures including what I assume to be baby 'Spanish Dancers' which are orange wormy things with ruffles which 'dance' through the water evading hermit crabs and other predators with amazing agility. There are miles of rockpools to explore further up the coast and some very disturbing Soldier Crabs, which when I first came across them, reminded me of the scarab beetles in the Mummy films, at which I had to get away from them as quickly as possible and then observe them from a distance. They burrow under the sand and leave tiny holes surrounded sand ball bearings. They also make excellent surfers.
Of course, there is Fraser Island to explore, which as yet I haven't done, but have heard that it is incredible from absolutely every single person who has stayed here! Personally, I'm trying to get up to Lady Elliot Island for a couple of days before I leave, and hopefully the green turtles will still be there for diving with.
Much love,
xxxxx
Emily Hale, I love you. Cardboard calendar has to be up there on the list of "Best Presents I Have Ever Received EVER". My kittykats remain solidly in the top spot, but this is definitely top 10 worthy! : ) Made my day - I was just wondering how to fill an hour before my supervision without actually doing the work for it when I went to the mail room. Excellent procrastination opportunity.
ReplyDeleteFred is deliriously happy with his new friends, & has automatically assumed leadership of the whole little cardboard menagerie. In fact, he's taken up pipe smoking this term in order to seem more impressive. I'll FB you a photo!
I now feel very bad that your christmas/birthday/why the hell have you been away so long present is just languishing in Huby collecting dust. Can I at least return a postcard to you? Yours is up on my noticeboard. I'm afraid it'll only be of Cambridge, and not of a national park, but it might remind you what snow looks like. We got incredible amounts of it back home, and actually lost Alice in a snow drift when we went for a walk on Christmas Eve.
Anyways, you seem to be travelling around a lot lately, but do you have any semi-permanent Aussie address I can send things on to?
Lots of love,
Katherine x x x