Sharks are often the most misunderstood mammals swimming in today's oceans. Humanity, fueled by one too many viewings of Spielberg's opportunistic claim to fame, often believes that sharks are vicious predators that hope to have a human (or any random small mammal) for lunch -- or at least a small snack. When in fact, nothing could be further from the truth.

Rather, the shark simply wants to kiss one of the other mighty animals (humans) that share this planet. Their "attacks" aren't intended to be as pernicious as the Discovery Channel implies. For one, is it the shark's fault that he has a vicious collection of teeth? You could never accuse a shark of getting halitosis as easily as most humans do.

Sharks have long been victimized because of this propensity for interspecies eros. Far too long than is fair for any animal. (In fact, there is a small but vocal contingent of shark rights activists who have been quietly hoping to set back the mighty calumny committed towards sharks over the years. One of them picked me up in a bar once, surgically installing a fin onto my back before we could have intercourse. I suppose this is one of many reasons why I am sympathetic to the shark rights activist's plight.)

Because of this, I welcome any effort by the humans to name certain locales and vista points after sharks. It is this naming process which will allow a detente between humans and sharks. And it is nothing for either side in this great struggle to be concerned about.

Sorry, what's a coogee?

I see the Mothership has commented below... I hope this trip will provide lots of Mothership news :)

sharks aren't mammals

Argh I am such a pedant

well there's no such thing as a coogee.. it's just the name of a suburb and beach in Sydney. Gareth is often amused by Aussie place names that are quite literal (eg Snowy Mountains, Pebbly Beach, Streaky Bay) so assumed SHARK ISLAND would be surrounded by the toothy bastards and Coogee Beach would be full of coogees. Luckily there's no such thing...

Anyway now that I've explained that to death...

and nice to see ya, ed! :)

LOL Ed.

That Sydney cemetery with the ocean view is Waverley cem in Clovelly BTW. Beautiful spot to be 6 feet under. There's some unusual graves and stuff, including the propeller one.

Also, choice dot com dot au > 'Free & Cheap Sydney'

and

whereis dot com dot au for searchable maps.

Woo hoo! Got a comment through at last.

...my hubby also had his share of out-loud-guffaws about Australian place names. Had to take him to visit my brother who was living in Young at the time. ("Is there a place called 'Old'?") My grandparents in Tangambalanga, an aunt in Yackandanda.

But what floored him (and he still brings it up regularly) was when we drove through Whycheproof.

..forgot to mention, one especially for Gareth is Bairnesdale, -"dale of the bairns" - why? you can stay there after staying at the Blue Duck Inn in the High country and ask someone

Oh, I am such a dimwit. Had I actually looked at the map for two seconds I'd have been able to identify the Beach of the Coogees.

I thought they might be like bunyips or bottersnikes or something.

Hey Shauny. If you come up to the Blue Mountains, let me know. Now ensconsed in Blackheath and can take you to have the best coffee you will ever have, right here in the village.

Hi Shauny!

I used to live at Coogee. Apparently it is the local Aboriginal word for dirty - heehee! I think they have cleaned it up a bit since the 80's though.

Meanwhile, if you are driving to/from Sydney and Brisbane, stop for a hamburger at Woolgoolga, just north of Coffs Harbour. The place near the post office has the best burgers ever. Take them to the beach and say hello to the scene for me. It is the place I have just left now I am on my way to the UK. Seems I will practically be able to tag-team you (as I type I am in visiting the good ol' central west!).

Loving your work as always, woman XXX

Maybe we should explain for the benefit of non-Aussies that it's pronounced COOD-jee (like the word "could"). Just in case hordes of WNP fans descend on Sydney and start asking for "Koog-y"...

you may be interested to read in todays (Tuesdays) Sydney Morning Herald (smh.com.au) about not one but two shark encounters.
One chased Owen Wilson out of the surf at Tamarama, and a whole pack of sharks exploded onto some unsuspecting tourist at the aquarium, while she was in the viewing tunnel. (Bet that wasn't on her holiday itinerary)
if you are in fact inclined to look at the buggers close up, there are plenty round here-especially Shelly Beach, Manly, which is actually a shark sanctuary.
No doubt the one that spotted Owen Wilson raced there straight away to recover.

Hi Shauny

If you guys are going to be in Western Australia at all, check out the Margaret River wine region the area is so pretty and there's wine... need I say more? ;) Here's a link that should help too.. http://www.margaretriver.com/frontpage.asp
and another for the whole of Western Australia http://www.watourism.com.au/