We are in Ballina

Hi again! We lost contact while we were in Mooloolaba because they wanted $19.95 per day for the internet. Not going to happen. Anyway, we did have a good time there although the weather was not the best. The only rain we got came during the night but the days were mixed sun and cloud and howling winds. Didn't stop people from going in the water and sunbathing but I was not tempted. We had lunch at the surf club on the beach one day where we heard you could have a nice lunch for about $10.00. That must have been a million years ago because even a caesar salad was $16.50! So,  although Mooloolaba was beautiful to look at it was very expensive. On our last night we went to the Bowl's club and had a great time . We made some new friends again and had really cheap drinks. Too bad that it was our last night before we discovered that place. Bowls clubs are really big over here and they are great places. They are massive in size and have gambling for those that want it and the prices are really good.

Last night we arrived in Ballina and got a lovely motel right across from the R.S.L. club (returning servicemen). It too is an amazing building. It looks like a Las Vegas casino but with a huge dining room overlooking the Richmond River. Had our first drink there and then took a walk around the town which is beautiful and clean. Went for Japanese food for dinner. It's the first place we've been to where you can bring your own drinks. We weren't prepared but it's a great concept.

So today we will continue south towards Sydney. We are thinking of stopping for the night at Coff's Harbour or somewhere in the vicinity. Today will be a shorter drive and more relaxing. The scenery is a little nicer the further south we go. In Queensland the terrain is quite flat. Dry and scrubby as well. So far I have seen lots of signs warning about kangaroos and koalas on the road but have not spotted one yet. So Ian's mission for the day is to find a place to cash traveller's cheques and mine is to see a koala in the wild.

Hope all is well at home. Hopefully I can post later this evening.
P.S. Ian just got back from his walk and he found a bank that cashed his traveller's cheques. Yeah!