Rainbow Beach far outweighed any personal expectations. It is a place of pure joy and delight, with some magical experiences to be had!! Come…… see for yourself.

Oh what a wonderful place Rainbow Beach is. The cooling waters have soothed both my mind and body after all that stress I went through looking for this place. So many wonderful adventurers have gathered here and I have met some great people.
There is talk of a pageant some time today and I do not want to miss that. Pageants are such wonderful events – the anticipation, the ceremony, the jostlings, music, excited crowd and associated atmosphere make them a great place to be. When I was very young I was a fairy in a Christmas float for a florist in Glenelg and I have since maintained my love of pageants.
Anyway, I would like to get to know more about the culture of the place and meet some of the locals, so I shall quickly pack my shoulder bag and go down and watch. Checking through the contents of both my case and bag, I decide to lighten my shoulder bag. However, I will ensure that my new mobile phone is still in there (in case I get lost again). and The Australian flag handkerchief that I borrowed from my husband can staythere as well. I borrowed this unusual handkerchief as it could be used for all sorts of purposes including first aid (an emergency sling or bandage as there could be snakes around), a cloth or even to blow my nose on when I get homesick!!! It will come in handy for waving on the pageant participants. That old coin,  still in a small container will be taken too, as there might be some busker or entertainer that I would like to give to (it does have some value still).

After seeking advice on the exact location and time of the pageant, it did not take me very long to find it. Fortunately, I chose one of the quieter areas to view it all from and got a front position. My handkerchief nearly blew away with all the waving at the participants and my mobile phone kept me up to date with happenings at home. So homesickness has not set in yet, nor the need for the hanky! Many photos were captured with my phone, ready to be uploaded later on in the day and the storylines added.
After the parade, I wandered around the booths and stalls set up as part of the festivities.
I particularly loved the  curiousity show, the rainbow waters crystal show, some beautiful tapestry work and the  golden camel. After a wonderful but rather tiring day, it was time to go to bed and contemplate tomorrow’s adventures.

But…. first I must upload those photos!!! Oh, and I still have that old coin!

Beep beep beep!!!

Deep in thought, my son alerted me to the fact that my mobile phone had sent a message. Having received a new phone for Christmas as cdma is disappearing and our nation goes to next G, I was not used to the new message tone. It was also rather surprising that I was now able to get reception in our relatively ‘blackspot’ rural area.Checking out the message, I found I was required to sign into the murmuring woods, leave a last minute portal at the cauldron and move onto Rainbow Beach. Rainbow beach sounded so good after our unceasing hot weather and it would give me a chance to avoid those persistent and pesky Aussie flies.

Plus I love travelling and especially love trying out new places. An added bonus is that I am on school holidays and had no activities planned. My mind is ticking over as I pack my bags wondering if Rainbow Beach is somewhere near Moonlight Heads or Blanket Bay – a particularly beautiful coastal area near us. Noting that I must not forget my phone, I say farewell to my bewildered family and head off to the cauldron.

After obtaining directions to Rainbow Beach at the cauldron, I proceed to my destination. However, as usual, I get hopelessly lost and and after a seemingly endless time, come full circle back to the cauldron. After a stressful few moments, I remember my trusty mobile phone and message my son in London. He advised me to take a digital  video of the position of and area surrounding the cauldron. I did so and sent him back the video immediately.  Using google earth and google  maps, my son was able to guide me to Rainbow Beach. So after only 30 minutes, I was back on the road again  following his directions via skype (it was far cheaper to use this than my normal mobile phone service for international communication) “Lucky, I got this new phone for Christmas!” I thought.

I could finally hear the roaring surf  and call of the seagulls and knew that I was near the coast. Finally, a welcoming sign announced that I was at Rainbow Beach. It is even more serene and beautiful than I had imagined and ……. even better there are no pesky flies, just wonderful cool, refreshing waters to dip and refresh in after my exhausting journey. I can now meet my web 2.0 friends

Hi everyone!!! 

(I still don’t know whether Rainbow Beach is near Blanket Bay. I never had time to look but will check it out on my mobile phone when I install the gps software).  

Reminders keyed into my phone  install that new gps (global satellite positioning software)