Up the Coast

I leave the Islands and head back to Airley beach. The boys gave me their phone number just in case I wanted to hang out until my bus ride at 8:55pm. I've spent too much time with them, so I decide not to call. I spend the day coming down with a cold and blogging. I've been feeling a tightness in my chest for the last two mornings and I'm sure I could have fought it, but that boat ride probably did me in. It was worth it.
I take the bus up the coast to Townsville and Gemma appears on the curb right on time. I'm so happy to see her, and completely congested with a full blown cold. She takes me to the house in which she's staying. I meet a bunch of her friends who have stayed awake to meet me. They're so wonderful for inviting me into their home. I pass out next to Gemma's boyfriend's friend. I have an entire air mattress to myself, and he's on a mat. He talks my ear off until I just can't stay awake any longer. He's really fun, and pretty funny. He informs me that Drop Bears and Hoop Snakes are an Australian myth to keep tourists away. For those who don't know, a Drop Bear is a bear in the trees that drops down on you in a sneak attack and kills you. And Hoop Snakes grab onto their tales and roll down the hill to destroy tourists. They each exist in Australian stories for the soul purpose of scaring tourists away from touring Australia.
The next day Gemma takes me into Townsville, but I'm too sick to be there, so we keep it low key and head home for the night.
UGH! It's no fun being sick abroad.