Dan

So, you say, tell us Dan. You're running around living in a van, sleeping in public places.

Just how is this different from what you do at home?

Aside from the obvious that it's down here, it's about what we can do here. Take for example our diving excursion we leave on tonight.

Moreton Bay has dolphins, sharks, manta rays and Wobbegong sharks (think of a toothed Persian carpet). We're spending the weekend at sea, diving for cheap.

After our return, we work our way up the coast to Bundaberg, from whence we depart for a 5-day holiday to Lady Elliot Island. The southernmost coral island in the Great Barrier Reef, Lady E has diving all around its perimeter. Most is shore diving. There are manta rays, sharks and large coral colonies.

But we are staying in a tent, in order to better keep it real :)

Some observations on living in a van down under, versus in the States:

• It's loads easier to find a place to park for the night, near a public toilet.
  
• There are public toilets here.
  
• Folks that see us have a smile and often stop to talk. They're friendlier.
  
• Dan is less paranoid about leaving windows open at night.
  
• The periodic voices outside the van at night here are usually saying "This is the coolest van ever! Take my picture next to it." and not "Call a towtruck, bubba."