Aussie Adventure

This was an amazing summer!  I spent a month in Australia with my friends Kelly and Ashleigh.  It was quite an adventure!  Here is the recap...warning, this is a long entry...

On July 26th, 2010, I hopped on a plane and headed to LA. There I had a 10+ hour layover, where an old friend from high school picked me up, and we headed to Disneyland for the day...SO much fun. She dropped me back off at the airport where I caught my flight across the Pacific, Down Under. I was amazed on the flight. First, it was a HUGE plane! Then I saw that everyone had their own entertainment center, with on demand movies (new ones), tv, and music. When I was handed the menu, yes, I received a menu, I was taken back because not only were we fed 2 meals(which were yummy), a snack bag to nibble from (but if we wanted more, we just had to ask), and as many drinks (alcoholic or not) that we wanted. It was surprising, since our domestic flights give us nothing anymore!

After a 15 hour flight, and losing July 27th, I arrived in Melbourne on the 28th, after an unplanned, brief stop over in Sydney (Melbourne was fogged in). Kelly and Ash met me, and the adventure began. Each day I was there, I wrote down the happenings of the day, on postcards. Here is what I wrote:

Monday, July 26th: Today I started my adventure by visiting one of my favorite places-Disneyland!  Figured since I had a 10 hour layover at LAX, why not go have some fun.  An old high school friend (that I haven't seen since high school) was kind enough to come and play with me.  It was great fun--though it always is!!  After 6+ hours of play I had to head back to the airport.  The airplane to Melbourne was massive!!  There was a 2nd story!  Each seat had it's own entertainment system--I watched 4 movies!  The fellows sitting by me were George and Tony.  They were a lot of fun and made the time much more enjoyable.  Surprisingly, the food on the flight was tasty and they really treat you well, coming around with snacks--plus all the food and drink were free!  We were delayed by a stop in Sydney because of fog in Melbourne.  It was wonderful to see Kel and Ash.

Me and Tigger at Disneyland!

Tuesday, July 27th: Lost Day

Wednesday, July 28th--Melbourne to Sale, Victoria: Kel and Ash met me at the airport.  Ash had the idea to dress in silver suits and say, "Welcome to the future"--which would have been hilarious!  Too bad they didn't do that!  On the 3 hour drive to Sale from Melbourne, I was very intrigued by the road signs; the way that things were said and the many signs reminding people to take powernaps.  Ash kept us laughing by spontaneously breaking into song--the best was when he didn't know the words and replaced them with, "something, something."  Once settled at their home--after meeting the pups Molly and Alice, we headed to a local pub where I had fish and chips--which was made with gummy shark (which was really very good).  The garlic bread was awesome!  For dinner we went to Kelly's parents' for a BBQ.  I got to meet some of their friends (including Khara, whom I've chatted with online).  Ash's mom made an Australian dessert called pavlova--YUM!  I was so incredibly tired, though because of the time change!  Interesting part of the evening, we went through a drive through liquor store!

Amazed at the drive through liquor store.

Thursday, July 29th--Sale, Victoria: Today was a mellow, relaxing day, which was really needed, sine I was still exhausted from the time change.  We had lunch and shopped a bit at the local centre (mall).  By 2:00p, I desperately needed a nap, so we went back to the house and I crashed hard.  Kel woke me up at about 6:30p, so we could go to dinner.  That nap was really needed!  For dinner we went to Jack's Irish Pub.  It was delicious--especially the herb bread.  When we came back, we played Scene It on the X-Box.  I I fully kicked ass, beating Kel and Ash 4 out of 4 times.  Because of the nap, I was able to stay up late and get more on Aussie time.

Friday, July 30th--Sale to Melbourne, Victoria: Started the day off slow--still adjusting ti the time.  We hung out with Ash's sister, Kristi for more of the early afternoon.  Then it was time to pack up and head to Melbourne.  Again, we were entertained by Ash's lovely singing.  We headed to a footy game--St. Kilda vs. Essendon.  Aussie footy is an interesting hybrid between our soccer and football.  It was fun to watch!  Afterward, we met up with Ash's cousin, Josh, who got us into the St. Kilda Saints lockeroom viewing area, which was odd because there was a cage fence between us and the players--like a zoo.  Though we didn't get to meet any players, I did see the team captain, Nick Riewoldt, in his speedo--WOW!  What a lovely mental picture!!!  YUM!!!  On the way back to the hotel, Kel and I got entertained by Ash and Josh dancing to bagpipe music and Josh trying to climb up walls!!  It was a lot of fun!!

Saturday, July 31st--Melbourne, Victoria: Today we walked a lot!  We started off visiting the Eureka Skydeck, which is on the 88th floor of the highest building in the Southern Hemisphere.  It was quite beautiful up there.  You could see the lovely bay.  We did the Edge Experience-where you stand in a box and it moves out-then the sides and floors become clear.  It was pretty cool.  From there we wandered up South Bank to Flinder's Train Station and had lunch at one of the oldest pubs in Melbourne--Young and Jackson's.  We then wandered around downtown.  Ash's cousin, Josh joined us.  We went to the Crown casino (which is huge) for dinner and while waiting for out table, we went to play games at Galactic Circus.  After dinner, we drove out to St. Kilda, which is on the bay.  We walked in the freezing night wind along the beach and down the pier to an area where fairy penguins live in the rocks.  It was hard to see them, but we saw a few little guys.

Fairy Caption

Melbourne

Trying on Aussie hats

Sunday, August 1st--Melbourne to Sydney, New South Wales: Today, we caught an early flight to Sydney.  I found it rather interesting that in Australia, domestic flight security is so minimal--no ID check at all, you get to keep your shoes on and liquids can be carried on.  Made the whole flying process easier--oh, and you can still meet people at the gate!!  After we checked into our hotel, we went wandering toward the Sydney Harbor and ended up having lunch at the 360 dining room on top of the Sydney Tower (the highest building in Sydney).  It was an amazing rotating restaurant!!  The views were spectacular!!  Afterward, we walked around Hyde Park.  It was so lovely--I could hang out there all day!  The Catholic Church there just added to the beauty.  I absolutely LOVED this park.  So far I am REALLY loving Sydney!!  It's so beautiful and lovely.

Kel and I in Hyde Park in front of the Church

Ash, Kel, and I at Sydney Tower

Hyde Park

The light of the lighthouse

Monday, August 2nd--Sydney, New South Wales: Today we walked out to Darling Harbor.  Out at the end of the docks there is a lighthouse that was built in 1824.  We climbed the small twisted staircase to the top.  There was also a swing bridge where the middle rotates in order to let big boats through.  from there, we walked up to the Sydney Harbor.  We took a harbor cruise--it was really interesting because as we passed places they gave the history of it.  In the harbor, we were able to see the Opera House and the Harbor Bridge.  Apparently, the Harbor Bridge is the largest of it's kind in the world, with 8 car lanes and 2 tram lines.  We did a ton of walking today, but it was so lovely out (chilly, but nice).  The rain came right as we got back to the hotel.

Ash, Kel, and I on Sydney Harbor

 

Daring Harbor

Sydney Harbor

Tuesday, August 3rd--Sydney, New South Wales: We had a slow morning because Kel and Ash weren't feeling too well.  We walked out to one of the oldest areas of town (well, bused it half way).  We had lunch at Sydney's oldest pub/hotel.  They have a ghost named Hirashio, that hangs out in the pub.  The mushroom risotto was amazing.  From there we wandered on Sydney Harbor again, but coming from a different direction--it was very much like old England.  We walked out to the Opera House--which was not very pretty at all, close up.  The entire building is covered in tiles--just like you'd find in a bathroom.  The place is very dated and honestly, overrated,  Then we bused back to the hotel.

Sydney Opera House

Sydney Harbor

 

Ayer's Rock, Uluru

Wednesday, August 4th--Sydney to Urulu, Northern Territory: Caught an early flight to Uluru.  We knew this trip would go well when Ash turned on the plane radio and "You're the Voice" was playing.  As we got off the plane, we were looking right at Ayer's Rock-a beautiful sight.  We rented a car and I drove here for the first time, it was so odd to be on the wrong side of the car and road!!  I kept turning on the wipers when trying to use the turn signal.  Everytime I had to turn, I really wanted to turn into the wrong lane.  It was really nerve racking when cars came from the opposite direction.  I kept hugging the outside curb and going off the road a bit.  We're staying at a "backpackers" (hostel).  The 3 of us are sharing a room with another girl (there are 4 bunks in the room).  The way it's all set up, it feels like we're at summer camp.  For dinner, we BBQ'd our own food--the place sells you the meat and side and you cook it up.  They sold kangaroo, croc, and emu--I stuck with the chicken.  The night was sky was AMAZING!  The amount of stars is brilliant!  Kel and I walked up to the view point int eh dark to look at the sky,  It was so funny--she heard something (a person that was there in the dark with us--it was pitch black) and she freaked out and bolted down the hill.  I couldn't stop laughing.  I had a lovely Aussie birthday--though it wasn't my birthday at home yet.

BBQing dinner

Me, Kel, and Ash

Camel Ride

Thursday, August 5th--Uluru, Northern Territory: I woke up to birds that seriously sound like a person whistling.  It was great!!  We then took a 45 minute camel ride through the outback.  My camel was named Khan.  He's 6 years old and their newest worker.  He was very snuggly and gave kisses.  The tour was amazing!  The guide taught us about the plants and animals in the area.  He stopped the group and caught an inch any to show us--it's a freakin HUGE ant!  It's bite is very poisonous.  After the camels, we went on a sunset tour of Ayer's Rock with an aborigine woman.  We walked around the rock and she told us dreamtime stories about how the rock came to look the way it does now.  She also shared the tools women use and how they're made.  Kel and I volunteered to carry the bowl and digging stick.  It was really interesting--she talked in her native tongue and had an interpreter.  Then we went and saw the beautiful sunset--the rock glows as the sun goes down.

Me and Khan

Me and Kel with the Aborigine tools

At Ayer's Rock, with the digging stick

Ayer's Rock at Sunset

First kangaroo sighting

Driving in Kakadu

Friday, August 6th--Uluru to Darwin to Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory: Caught a flight to Darwin, through Alice Springs, we learned from a jeweler about Australian opals.  Black opals are the rarest (5%), boulder opals are the next rarest (10%), and white opals are the most common (85%).  White opals are used to make doublet and triplet opals.  It's a ton warmer here!  When we got to Darwin, it was clear we no longer needed jeans and coats.  On the 3+ hour drive through Kakadu National Park, we saw a mob of kangaroos (including 2 joeys)--my first sighting of the trip.  We also saw 3 dingoes run across the road, cockatoos (both black and white ones), as well as a huge snake sunning itself in the middle of the road.  We're staying at another "backpackers."  This one doesn't feel as much like a summer camp as the one in Uluru.  This one is more like camping.

Look closely, Ash is on top and I am in yellow a bit down the mountain

Saturday, August 7th--Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory: Woke up this morning and the tiniest ants I've ever seen had invaded all our food.  Once that was all taken care of, we headed out to Ubirr.  There we saw rock art and were able to climb a huge rock mountain to see some amazing views.  From there we headed to Nourlangie Rock and we hiked all around it.  There was a lot more rock are there, which seemed "newer" than the last place.  Here we saw black cockatoos.  We then headed to a few billabongs (watering holes).  Then we hiked the Mirral Lookout, which was very steep and it was very hot.  Kel and I didn't make it the whole way.  Ash did though.  After a nap, we headed out to Yellow Water, in the hopes of seeing crocs.  Instead, we caught an exceptional sunset.  When we returned to the room, after dinner, ash was so "sleepy" that he drank his drink from the wrong side of his glass and spilled his drink all over his bed.  It was absolutely hilarious--he won't live that one down.

Ubirr

Billabong

Sunset at Yellow Water

 

 

Ash and the Croc

Taking on the Croc

Sunday, August 8th--Kakadu National Park to Darwin, Northern Territory: Drove from Kakadu back to Darwin.  Stopped along the river so Ash could go on a boat cruise to see crocs.  Kel and I hung out in the nice cafe they had there on the river.  In Darwin, we went to the Beer Can Rigatta and the Mindil Sunset Market.  On the beach they had a mini iron man competition.  We also wandered the market, which was very similar to Portland's Saturday Market.  When we got back to the hotel room we had liquor that we couldn't take with us, so we drank it.  I drank a 1/2 bottle of Kahlua.  This night was filled with a lot of laughing!

Me with the life guards on Mindil Beach

If you look closely, the license plate says "Sunshine State" HA!

Monday, August 9th-Tuesday, August 10th--Darwin to Brisbane to Surfers Paradise, Queensland:Had to catch an extremely early flight to Brisbane this morning.  Saw a beautiful sunrise from the plane.  When we arrived, we experienced a big weather change, we went from 90+ degrees F in Darwin to 70 degrees F and overcast.  We rented a car and drove down to the Gold Coast to stay at Surfers Paradise.  We finally were staying somewhere that we had space, it's a 2 bedroom/2bath apartment.  Monday we lazed about and did some grocery shopping since we'll have a fridge for the next week.  I picked up the 5th Percy Jackson book (I brought over the first 4)--it's the Aussie version=different cover, as well as measurement terms are metric and words are spelled differently.
Tuesday-It was raining intensely.  Up to this point, we had been really lucky when it came to weather, so it was bound to catch up to us.  We went to WB Movie World.  It's kind of like a mini Universal Studios.  Since it's winter and raining, there weren't many people there.  Though we got soaked, it was a warm rain, so it wasn't horrible (tropical rain storm).  After going on rides and loving that there were no lines at all, we went home and dried off, changed our clothes and then headed out to see the movie "Inception."  All I can say is WOW!!  What an awesome movie!!

Ash and I on the Scooby Doo Ride

Main Street at Movie World

Wednesday, August 11--Surfers Paradise, Queensland: Such an AMAZING day!  We went to Sea World.  We saw tons of Australian pelicans--very beautiful and interesting birds.  We went to the Sea Lion and Dolphin shows and got to pet sting rays.  The absolute best part was when we went swimming with some seals and sea lions!!  We had to wear a wet suit--it was chilly, but not raining.  We first met Wendell, a HUGE California Sea Lion.  Then we met BJ-who took me for a ride.  Then the seal, Tristan came out.  They did tricks, played with us, and took pictures with us.  They were all so sweet and cute.  It was SO FREAKIN AWESOME!!  We ended the day at The Hard Rock Cafe at Surfers Paradise (the only current Hard Rock in Australia) for drinks and a bite to eat.

 Swimming with the Seals and Sea Lions!

Hard Rock Cafe

Thursday, August 12th--Surfers Paradise, Queensland: Today we went to Dreamworld.  This park encompasses thrill rides and a zoo.  We were able to see all sorts of Aussie animals--dingoes, emus, kangaroos, koalas, tazmanian devils, wombats, lots of types of birds, as well as tigers.  We got to feed kangaroos--mamas and joeys.  They were so beautiful.  They'd hop up and eat out of your hand.  If you rubbed them under their chin, they put their head back and just loved it.  Then I got to hold a koala!!  Their claws are very sharp, and they have 2 thumbs on each hand.  Surprisingly, their fur was rather course.  It was SO amazing to hold one!!!  The rest of the day was spent going on rides.  They aren't as great as the ones back home, but it was fun!

Feeding the roos!

Friday, August 13th--Surfers Paradise to Torquay, Hervey Bay, Queensland: Stopped into Dreamworld again this morning to meet a baby wombat, named Annie.  She's 14 months old and SO adorable!!  She crawled all around, up on my lap and then under my legs.  I just loved her--now I want a wombat!!  After my wombat time, we drove from the Gold Coast about 5 hours north to Torquay in Hervery Bay.  What a beautiful drive--a lot of farmland and forests.  Saw a kangaroo hopping through a field as we drove by.  Our new apartment is just lovely and the managers are so helpful and nice--I wish we were staying here longer.  Since Hervey Bay is pronounced Harvey Bay, Ash and I decided it will now be called HERvey Vay (since vay is what seems to come out when you say it quickly).

I'm on a boat!

Kel and I on the Torquay Beach

Saturday, August 14th--Torquay (Hervey Bay), Queensland: We started the day off with a lovely walk down the beach (which is right across the street from our hotel).  Then we headed out to the marina for whale watching.  WOW!!!  We saw SO many humpback whales.  There were well over 20--at one point there were 6 around the boat at once.  It was so amazing and beautiful!  They came within inches of the boat--you could almost touch them!!  They hang out in the bay, this time of year on their way south.  For dinner we went up the street to an Irish pub.  We caught a bit of a good cover band there.  It was nice.  On the ceiling of the pub, they had a map of Ireland, and people had signed and marked where they lived.  Very cool!

Sunday, August 15th--Bundaberg, Queensland: Today started off as a laid back day--but soon we were on a road trip to Bundaberg to check out the Bundaberg Rum Distillery.  Kel really wanted to go, so we drove the 2 hours to get there.  I do have to say that their rum liquor (which is only at the store there) is really yummy!

We were given fresh fruit juice when we arrived at Lady Elliott

Monday, August 16th--Lady Elliott Island, Great Barrier Reef: Today was absolutely amazing!!!!  We took a small 10 seater plane out to Lady Elliott Island.  The views from the plane were breathtaking!  Lady Elliott is located at the Southern point of the Great Barrier Reef.  It's a small island that is surrounded by the reef, the only way to get to it was to fly in.  It's so small, you can walk all the way around it in about 45 minutes.  The entire island is made of deal coral.  Ash and I basically spent the entire day snorkeling the reef.  It was so incredible!!  I swam with a large sea turtle (though he was small compared to how big they get).  I just floated along as he rode the current.  He was so cute.  Every now and again he'd look up to check me out.  While snorkeling, I turned around and out of the darkness came a gigantic manta ray--it startled me.  He was about 2 feet in front of me--it was fantastic!  Though having a day on the island was costly, it was SO worth it!!  To see the reef and all the creatures it held, was amazing.  One of the best days of the trip!  I didn't want to get out of the water!

Tuesday, August 17th-Wednesday, August 18th--Torquay (Hervey Bay) to Bundaberg to Brisbane to Melbourne to Sale, Victoria: Tuesday- Had to wake up super early to drive 2 hours to Bundaberg to catch a plane to Brisbane and then to Melbourne, then a 2+ hour drive to Sale.  We went to pick up Kel and Ash's pups--Molly and Alice, after dinner.  To get Alice, we drove out to Ash's parent's house, at the beach.  It was dark and there were so many kangaroos hanging out on the sides of the road.  It was so cool to see so many in the wild!!

Wednesday-We had a lazy day, which was much needed.  I caught up on this season's True Bllod (7 episodes).  Brad and his girlfriend, Belinda came over and we ordered pizza.

View from the car between Melbourne and Sale

Wallaby

Thursday, August 19th--Sale, Victoria: Today Kel and I went out and about.  We went to the local park at Lake Guyatt.  They have Wallabies there.  They are so cute!  Some babies were there too!  We took a nice walk around the lake, then grabbed some lunch at Macca's (McDonald's).  I love the Sweet Chili Wrap they have here!!  We then went shopping for a bit and drove around town.

Wahalla

Friday, August 20th--Walhalla and Sale, Victoria: Bittersweet day, for it is my last here in Australia.  Kelly and I drove out to Walhalla, a very small town of 20 people that used to be a big gold mining town--up to 4000 people were there at one point!  It's up in the hills and just lovely.  We toured the mine.  It was really neat to see the mine shafts and hear the history.  We were basically in the middle of a mountain!  We had lunch at a cafe that was sweet.  It was an old building and in the window there was a bullet hole left there from the 40's.  We then went back to Kel and Ash's for a fire pit/dinner party.  Kel's parents came, as well as Brad and Belinda, Nadia and Matt, Khara and Jay, and Melissa.  It was a great last night there.  Now I have 24 hours of travel to look forward to.

Kel and I outside the mine

The mine

The mine

Me with the biggest fern I've seen

Me on the biggest stump I've seen

There were tons of these birds there

Wahalla

I've been home now for a little over 2 weeks.  It took me about a week and a half to get over the jetlag.  I look back, and it's so surreal that this month even happened to me!!  Two weeks ago I was in Australia!!  I can hardly believe it, and I was there!  Best summer break ever!!!