The Strand

Today we went to the Strand at about 10am.
Definitely check out the FB pictures.

This is the second time I've been out in Townsville and it is absolutely gorgeous! The streets are lined with palm trees and grasses/plants on a background of sunny blue skies. There were black cockatoos (endangered), some other birds I'm not familiar with, and lots of people/kids out. Basically its just a gigantic park along the shore. We had to walk from City Mall to get there, but it really wasn't a problem.

We went swimming in the ocean for a bit - but no waves. Theres a little section for us to swim that is enclosed to keep out the stingers. The water was very warm and not quite clear. Joe says that swimming in the creek/river is much better (also because its so damn salty here!). Next to the swimming area is this huge rope jungle gym [shown above]. I'm really surprised since I doubt in America that they would allow something so tall to be made for little kids... but it was really intricate/nicely made. Hammocks on the bottom and swings in the corners.

On our way back we stopped at this water park thing for kids - but there weren't just kids and it was really fun. There's a gigantic bucket at the top of it that pours massive amounts of water every minute or so, water slides, water mushroom thingies, random sprinklers, water guns in the ground, water shooting up from the ground, but its mostly just a regular playground with water shooting out of everywhere.