beautiful water--looking out to Whitehaven Beach
Back up to the lookout to see this:
With the tide out
that white dot by my hand is the moon :)
Saturday, May 14, 2011
AVATAR
Arrived in Airlie Beach and spent two nights before heading to our boat! Ship? Whatever. It was pretty big and had 3 hulls and Sarah and Katie (from Fraser) were on it as well so it was nice that Chris and I already knew some other people. There were 20 of us on the vessell and everyone had to share a bed. First the captain asked for the couples so they could go into the out hull and have more privacy. There was a couple who had been together for 8 years from Switzerland and a couple from Wales who were on the last 2 weeks of a 7 week honeymoon! And that was it but there were 3 rooms (and I use that term loosely) in the out hull so Chris and I decided to take it so that we could go to bed early/whenever and it would be quiet at night and in the mornings. To get to our "room" you went out of the main hull, outside, across a mesh floor underneath which was ocean, and then opened a clear hatch about 2ft by 2ft. Then you lowered yourself in directly on to the mattress (another term I use loosely). It was certainly wide enough for both of us to sleep comfortably. Lengthwise, however, was not quite as comfortable. With my backpack in the 'room' at my feet, all 5'4" of myself could not fully stretch out. Chris, being 6'0" could most certainly not stretch all the way out, even less so with his backpack and food in the 'room' with us. Add to that the rocking of the boat, the beer being drunk and that with the hatch closed it was SO HOT in there, neither of us slept very well. The first night I had a slight panic attack and needed to open the hatch a couple of times--just to make sure it still did-- which didn't help matters. The first day we went snorkeling and got the priviledge of wearing these little numbers.....
The food on the boat was amazing! Our host/chef provided snacks, tea, coffee, cake, roast, potatoes, veggies, fruit omg there was SO MUCH FOOD :D
The second day we went out to see White Haven Beach. Everyone was under the impression we would actually be on white haven beach but we were not. So Chris and I decided to swim across the channell to say that, yes, we had been on it. About 10 feet in to the water a black thing ahead of us started moving. And had a tail. Shit! Its a stingray-- the same thing that killed Steve Erwin. For about 3 seconds we kept moving closer to get a better look until we realized-- don't be stupid, get the eff out of the water. No that it would come attack us, but still. Better safe than sorry.
Then, of course, we had to brush our teeth with the sand :)
Back up to the lookout to see this:
and then some more snorkling, with the beloved stinger suits, and we boated (what's the term?) to a lagoon where there were wild Cockatoos and I fed one some bread!
Back on land the next day and night and then a night bus to where I am now- Cairns! Will be going scuba diving the Great Barrier Reef tomorrow :)
Back up to the lookout to see this:
The Town of 1770-- still living in the 1770's
Not much to do in this town but if you do it all you have a great time!
Scooteroo: driving mini scooters decked out to look like Harley Davidsons while wearing leather jackets and helmets with flames on them. Hell yeah. We even saw some wild kangaroos and the begining of a beautiful sunset.
Surfing: Get up to go to surfing school at 10, get in the water around 11 and be standing up on a wave by 11:45! Its much harder than it seems, and much harder than I remember when I was younger (and more agile and smaller and on a longer board, ha). We were on shorter boards and learned the techniques and had such a good time and got some great photos! Did the lesson with Chris, Lizzie and Lucy so it was two of us in the water at a time making it perfect for photos to be taken of each other :)
Spa Day: After the surfing the girls and I had a girly day at our hostel. A woman came around and gave us face masks and massages and mud/clay to put in our hair. It was a great way to kill time before the bus left at 910pm to arrive in Airlie Beach at 7am.
Turtle vs. Turtel
Wow I feel like I have done so many things since I last posted! This one will be dedicated to Fraser Island and Roberto "Italiano". He is, obviously, Italian and was travelling alone in Australia. The meeting to get set up for our Fraser Island tour put Roberto in a group with myself, Sarah, Katie, Rhian, Susie and Martin. These became the people that I shared driving, food and insanely funny yet 'had to be there' type jokes. A lead driver needed to be chosen in the group and present a credit card-- our group decided to do this based on who had a credit card with them. Roberto did! Perfect, he is our lead driver. Mind you we all had not spoken too much yet and so did not realize at the time that we were putting our faith (and lives? for a period of time) in someone who did not understand more than about 5 words of English. During the safety video about how to drive and, more importantly, what NOT to do Roberto dutifully sat and watched the TV screen. When it was over Rhian casually asked if Roberto understood what was said. He looked at her for a moment, with a smile plastered on his face, and said, "Yes. Yes. .....the video? No." Oh crap. The next day we got up early and drove over to the ferry to get on the island and headed straight for Lake McKenzie. So beautiful, it looks exactly like the photos-- so now there's no need for you to go there ;)
Chris, being only 19, was not allowed to drive (must be at least 21) and so was in the car with the guide along with other under 21 yr olds. At Lake McKenzie I was hanging out with the girls from my car mostly, tanning and playing in the water. At the end of our time there Chris and I started throwing and kicking the rugby ball around, joking with each other and just having a good time. On the walk back to the cars I overhear one of the girls in his car-- "That was weird how you made friends with that other girl so quickly......" "uhhhh, I've known her for about 2 months" haha Apparently we hadn't made it obvious we were travelling together. Then Hans, our older German guide, took us to the Shipwreck where I discovered how to take continuous photos on my camera. I now have about 100 photos that are nearly identical of the Shipwreck. This was how the island got discovered: The ship crashed in to it captained by a woman named Fraser. It was a cruise ship, only first and second class, somehow got lost and BAM! discovered an island. And then sank.
The next morning was an early one. Roberto quite enjoyed driving. None of the girls enjoyed him driving quite as much though. He would barrell through the soft sand, make full use of the 4x4 bouncing us up and down in our seats, exceed the 80km/hr speed limit on the beach and didn't mind if the water came up. We minded. Us saying 'No no watch the wave!' and Roberto responding 'yes, its good! its good.' 'No Roberto! ahhhh!' I may not have excercised but my heart rate was definitely up during this trip.
During my turn at the driving I managed to stall 3 times, get stuck in the sand twice and drive through a wave causing the entire car to be engulfed by water. I eventually surrendered my post, climbing over the seat into the back telling them I wasn't doing it anymore and someone else needed to step up. Roberto leaped at the chance to drive more. You win some, you lose some.
We went to Indian Head, got some good pics and then went to see some turtles. Chris and I became the entertainment of the group with me trying to catch a turtle and him giving mocking/insulting/hilarious commentary. I managed to flip a few through the air, not being able to hold on to them tight enough. One of them would swim towards us with his head out of the water looking directly at me. I didn't like this. Chris capitalised on it. But eventually I got one! and a round of applause from the fifteen other people on the Fraser tour :)
On the walk back Chris was talking to Roberto and trying to figure out how old he is. Chris is rambling on and on, just talking bullshit, then finally looks at Roberto and asks, point blank, 'how old are you?' Roberto turns to him, smiles, nodding his head and says 'yes!' uhhhh. How many questions had we asked Roberto in which he had not understood a single word and just replied yes? ha, too many I'm sure. Then Chris starts telling him how good in the water he is and such a good swimmer he is and so on. Roberto smiles and nods his head again-- 'I like swim'
Our car ate dinner together that night as we had bought food as a group. The two boys stood around rather helpless looking until the food was ready. Bless them for doing the dishes though. On this night we found out, after painstaking conversation, that it was Roberto's dream to come to Australia. Awwww.
During my turn at the driving I managed to stall 3 times, get stuck in the sand twice and drive through a wave causing the entire car to be engulfed by water. I eventually surrendered my post, climbing over the seat into the back telling them I wasn't doing it anymore and someone else needed to step up. Roberto leaped at the chance to drive more. You win some, you lose some.
We went to Indian Head, got some good pics and then went to see some turtles. Chris and I became the entertainment of the group with me trying to catch a turtle and him giving mocking/insulting/hilarious commentary. I managed to flip a few through the air, not being able to hold on to them tight enough. One of them would swim towards us with his head out of the water looking directly at me. I didn't like this. Chris capitalised on it. But eventually I got one! and a round of applause from the fifteen other people on the Fraser tour :)
The next, and last day, provided us with a couple great lines from Roberto. We went to a Lake Wabby which is at the bottom of a large steep sand dune; everyone runs down the sand and into the water. About 6 of us lined up to do this. We all went blitzing down the sand, I was going as fast I could, determined to be first. However, my bathing suit felt as though it might be slipping so on the last couple of steps I put my arm over my chest. This made me lose concentration, which made me trip at the waters edge, which made me face plant into the water. FACE PLANT. At least I can continuously provide entertainment for the group.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
This is not a drill
Just got dropped off to the hostel where I am staying in Noosa after 3 days and 2 nights of camping and canoeing in the rainforest/everglades. *Fun Fact: Here and Florida are the only 2 everglades systems in the world. This also means I haven't showered or slept for 3 days.
The story of the last few days needs to start the day before we even left though. Sunday was Easter Sunday, as it is everywhere. However, unlike the rest of the bloody world, every freaking store in Queensland is closed. Not just limited hours--closed all day long for good. Places that stayed open include fancy restuarants- of which I will not be frequenting- KFC- 10 dollars later and I still wasn't full- and Subway- one foot long per day is about all I can handle. 11pm rolls around and Chris and I still haven't bought any food for the next days of camping isolation. 7/11 is the only place open with grocery-type things so off we went. Chris doesn't believe me when I say we can buy food there that isn't hot dogs and is questioning my authority on their inventory of tuna. As we walk in we go down an aisle and he exclaims 'Look! There's TONS of tuna!! : D ' ......my face is blank with shock and doubt about if he realizes that he stocking his basket with cat food.
Up at 7am the next day to finish packing and get out to the parking lot for our 745am pickup. We get into a van and pick up some others who will be on the trip with us. We total 10, pairing off to share canoes and tents. I was planning on bringing all of my things on this little outing but, alas, I could not. This means that I had to unlock my backpack, on the dock, and quickly grab clothes haphazardly out of my bag. We load everything into these round plastic tubs with a lid for everything to stay dry and get in the boat. Past Richard Branson's private hotel property for the use of any of his employees and across a lake to an 'information center'. By this they mean a shack on the edge of the lake. Not on shore, mind you, in the lake still. Surrounded on all 4 sides by water. Carefully manuevering ourselves and all of our things out of the motorized boat and onto the dock we were all blissfully unaware that that was going to be one of the two best parts of the trip. (The other one being on the boat on our way back.) The guy takes off-- leaving us with the canoes still tied up under the shack.
The way to the campsite had nice weather and everyone was gung-ho about canoeing and being out on the water and off on our trip. About 20 minutes later we realized that canoeing is extremely over-rated. Or rated perfectly as I had never had an intense urge to canoe and was apprehensive when I saw the map stating our campsite to be so many kilometers away. Good thing I couldn't convert kilometers to miles or I would have made them take me back immediately.
We reached the campsite, got the gear and canoes out of the river and scouted out a good campsite to be our base.
I would like to take this time to thank Dad for making me help set up the campsites every time I didn't want to because at the very least-- I know how. Chris did not. From my vague recollections and common sense we got the poles together and strung through the tent and propped it up as best we could. I wish I could tell you that this is what our tent looked like--
That night it rained. It was cold. I had no sweater. Being completely unprepared for the trip allowed everyone, including us, thank god, to laugh about it while I sat at the bench with my towel and sleeping bag wrapped around me for warmth and comfort. The 'No Fires' rule meant that it got dark around 6ish but considering we had been up since seven, canoeing and attempting to put a camp together we were all pretty knackered. Once the rain started pouring there was a mad dash for the tents grabbing anything you could regardless of if it was yours, at least it wouldn't get wet.
The next day we woke up with rain, ate breakfast with rain, canoed up river with rain and then started our hour long hike with rain. It was raining so hard though that even though Chris and I were the only ones without jackets, everyone was equally wet and cold.
We made it to the end of our hike, The Sandpatch, took some pictures and sat around talking. After a while we went back to our canoes to head back to camp. Lucky for everyone the rain had ceased and lucky for me Chris wanted to paddle with both oars :)
After a while I had to paddle again but the rain had stopped for good until the next morning. This meant we could play cards and drink some goon and have a good time. The second night was much better than the first, now that we all knew each other and were drinking. The rain started in the morning again at which point I had to reapply the roof to our tent-- lesson learned, always peg down the tent, but especially always peg down the cover when its windy and rainy. Its not very fun waking up because water is leaking through the tent on to your face :)
It may have been miserable but there were some good times and I definitely walked away having built some character and (I hope) some muscle.
The story of the last few days needs to start the day before we even left though. Sunday was Easter Sunday, as it is everywhere. However, unlike the rest of the bloody world, every freaking store in Queensland is closed. Not just limited hours--closed all day long for good. Places that stayed open include fancy restuarants- of which I will not be frequenting- KFC- 10 dollars later and I still wasn't full- and Subway- one foot long per day is about all I can handle. 11pm rolls around and Chris and I still haven't bought any food for the next days of camping isolation. 7/11 is the only place open with grocery-type things so off we went. Chris doesn't believe me when I say we can buy food there that isn't hot dogs and is questioning my authority on their inventory of tuna. As we walk in we go down an aisle and he exclaims 'Look! There's TONS of tuna!! : D ' ......my face is blank with shock and doubt about if he realizes that he stocking his basket with cat food.
Up at 7am the next day to finish packing and get out to the parking lot for our 745am pickup. We get into a van and pick up some others who will be on the trip with us. We total 10, pairing off to share canoes and tents. I was planning on bringing all of my things on this little outing but, alas, I could not. This means that I had to unlock my backpack, on the dock, and quickly grab clothes haphazardly out of my bag. We load everything into these round plastic tubs with a lid for everything to stay dry and get in the boat. Past Richard Branson's private hotel property for the use of any of his employees and across a lake to an 'information center'. By this they mean a shack on the edge of the lake. Not on shore, mind you, in the lake still. Surrounded on all 4 sides by water. Carefully manuevering ourselves and all of our things out of the motorized boat and onto the dock we were all blissfully unaware that that was going to be one of the two best parts of the trip. (The other one being on the boat on our way back.) The guy takes off-- leaving us with the canoes still tied up under the shack.
The way to the campsite had nice weather and everyone was gung-ho about canoeing and being out on the water and off on our trip. About 20 minutes later we realized that canoeing is extremely over-rated. Or rated perfectly as I had never had an intense urge to canoe and was apprehensive when I saw the map stating our campsite to be so many kilometers away. Good thing I couldn't convert kilometers to miles or I would have made them take me back immediately.
We reached the campsite, got the gear and canoes out of the river and scouted out a good campsite to be our base.
I would like to take this time to thank Dad for making me help set up the campsites every time I didn't want to because at the very least-- I know how. Chris did not. From my vague recollections and common sense we got the poles together and strung through the tent and propped it up as best we could. I wish I could tell you that this is what our tent looked like--
Tent Perfection
But alas....its a little wompy but it did the job
Timothy the Temple
That night it rained. It was cold. I had no sweater. Being completely unprepared for the trip allowed everyone, including us, thank god, to laugh about it while I sat at the bench with my towel and sleeping bag wrapped around me for warmth and comfort. The 'No Fires' rule meant that it got dark around 6ish but considering we had been up since seven, canoeing and attempting to put a camp together we were all pretty knackered. Once the rain started pouring there was a mad dash for the tents grabbing anything you could regardless of if it was yours, at least it wouldn't get wet.
The next day we woke up with rain, ate breakfast with rain, canoed up river with rain and then started our hour long hike with rain. It was raining so hard though that even though Chris and I were the only ones without jackets, everyone was equally wet and cold.
We made it to the end of our hike, The Sandpatch, took some pictures and sat around talking. After a while we went back to our canoes to head back to camp. Lucky for everyone the rain had ceased and lucky for me Chris wanted to paddle with both oars :)
On a river cruise
Noosa River
After a while I had to paddle again but the rain had stopped for good until the next morning. This meant we could play cards and drink some goon and have a good time. The second night was much better than the first, now that we all knew each other and were drinking. The rain started in the morning again at which point I had to reapply the roof to our tent-- lesson learned, always peg down the tent, but especially always peg down the cover when its windy and rainy. Its not very fun waking up because water is leaking through the tent on to your face :)
It may have been miserable but there were some good times and I definitely walked away having built some character and (I hope) some muscle.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Story Time
I have been in Noosa for 2 days and this is what has happened so far---
Chris and I went out to this club (10dollar entry, SO not worth it) and I was walking around trying to find these guys--wasn't sure if they were even there so I had to do some serious scanning without looking creepy--and this guy is stumbling around and starts coming in my direction. He wants to just get past me but about 2 steps before he reaches me he steps to side, VOMITS, turns back and just keeps going. NO ONE ELSE SAW THIS HAPPEN. He literally projectile vommitted and continued on like it was no big thing. Then people started stepping in it and not even noticing uggggg it makes shudder just thinking about it...so I told a bouncer and he was all casual like oh yeah, the guy in the white? uhh yeah...if he was already on your radar, you shoulda kicked him out buddy. Then this guy starts talking to me and we are chatting and he asks me 1. Where am I from 2. How long have I been in Australia 3. How long have I been in Noosa and where am I going next. He gets up to buy me a drink, comes back, sits down, and asks the exact same questions in the exact same order. He had no idea he was already privvy to this information. So I told him I was going to look for Chris and just left. He probably had no idea he was even talking to someone 2 minutes later. No harm no foul?
Best fight I have ever seen. This happened last night--
This short bald guy who is probably 30ish is fighting with an australian 23ish year old in the parking lot outside the bar that is in our hostel. The former, henceforth known as B, has his arms outstretched telling the latter, Aussie Hottie, to 'bring it'. AH is a whole foot taller than this guy. Eventually Baldy kicks his sandals off and puts his fists up--like they do in the movies, and cartoons. So AH is just telling him to put sandals on, he's not gonna fight him, just put your fucking sandals on. B is refusing. AH picks up one of the sandals, SMACKS BALDY IN THE FACE WITH IT, puts it to B's chest and says again, 'Put your sandals on mate!'
B still doesn't.
AH punches him, once, in the mouth and B goes stumbling back a good 10 feet before falling over.
Security comes over, tells AH he has to leave the property and then shakes his hand. They make B go back to his room by force.
Chris and I went out to this club (10dollar entry, SO not worth it) and I was walking around trying to find these guys--wasn't sure if they were even there so I had to do some serious scanning without looking creepy--and this guy is stumbling around and starts coming in my direction. He wants to just get past me but about 2 steps before he reaches me he steps to side, VOMITS, turns back and just keeps going. NO ONE ELSE SAW THIS HAPPEN. He literally projectile vommitted and continued on like it was no big thing. Then people started stepping in it and not even noticing uggggg it makes shudder just thinking about it...so I told a bouncer and he was all casual like oh yeah, the guy in the white? uhh yeah...if he was already on your radar, you shoulda kicked him out buddy. Then this guy starts talking to me and we are chatting and he asks me 1. Where am I from 2. How long have I been in Australia 3. How long have I been in Noosa and where am I going next. He gets up to buy me a drink, comes back, sits down, and asks the exact same questions in the exact same order. He had no idea he was already privvy to this information. So I told him I was going to look for Chris and just left. He probably had no idea he was even talking to someone 2 minutes later. No harm no foul?
Best fight I have ever seen. This happened last night--
This short bald guy who is probably 30ish is fighting with an australian 23ish year old in the parking lot outside the bar that is in our hostel. The former, henceforth known as B, has his arms outstretched telling the latter, Aussie Hottie, to 'bring it'. AH is a whole foot taller than this guy. Eventually Baldy kicks his sandals off and puts his fists up--like they do in the movies, and cartoons. So AH is just telling him to put sandals on, he's not gonna fight him, just put your fucking sandals on. B is refusing. AH picks up one of the sandals, SMACKS BALDY IN THE FACE WITH IT, puts it to B's chest and says again, 'Put your sandals on mate!'
B still doesn't.
AH punches him, once, in the mouth and B goes stumbling back a good 10 feet before falling over.
Security comes over, tells AH he has to leave the property and then shakes his hand. They make B go back to his room by force.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
It has been 21 since I last posted. My bad.
I've been in Byron Bay the whole time though and not much of interest has happened. Beach all day- tanning, ocean, volleyball, football and soccer. Then dinner and going out or watching movies at night. We were there for a grand total of 6 weeks--5 weeks longer than was planned. : D totally worth it.
Now I'm in Noosa! Took the bus to Brisbane and then to Noosa. On the second bus I met some guys from Hawai'i who are in the Coast Guard and just on a two week vacation. Chris was already here when I got here (my travel buddy for the east coast!) and the guys are staying here too. The four of us went sailing yesterday! I even go to steer the boat :) while Chris went on a 5hour death trap bike ride. He got back covered in mud and full of stories about big rocks and steep hills and almost falling. Exactly why I decided to do the sailing. All that entailed was sitting and looking out for sharks. Then at night at the hostel there was this guy playing the guitar and singing and he was really good so it was nice to sit and drink some beers and eat some pizza and talk and meet people.
Today, Chris and I just got back from the longest hike EVER. Been back for an hour and my feet still hurt. We went through a national park, along a foot path, through a forest, I almost tripped looking for koalas about 10 times--didn't see any :( down a hill, across a beach, through some nudists, up a shit ton of stairs and then back down the other side, along another beach, up even more stairs, through a residential area, along the highway and then, finally, we were back in Noosa. Apparently the trail we took just ended at the beach. It didn't loop.
I've been in Byron Bay the whole time though and not much of interest has happened. Beach all day- tanning, ocean, volleyball, football and soccer. Then dinner and going out or watching movies at night. We were there for a grand total of 6 weeks--5 weeks longer than was planned. : D totally worth it.
Now I'm in Noosa! Took the bus to Brisbane and then to Noosa. On the second bus I met some guys from Hawai'i who are in the Coast Guard and just on a two week vacation. Chris was already here when I got here (my travel buddy for the east coast!) and the guys are staying here too. The four of us went sailing yesterday! I even go to steer the boat :) while Chris went on a 5hour death trap bike ride. He got back covered in mud and full of stories about big rocks and steep hills and almost falling. Exactly why I decided to do the sailing. All that entailed was sitting and looking out for sharks. Then at night at the hostel there was this guy playing the guitar and singing and he was really good so it was nice to sit and drink some beers and eat some pizza and talk and meet people.
Today, Chris and I just got back from the longest hike EVER. Been back for an hour and my feet still hurt. We went through a national park, along a foot path, through a forest, I almost tripped looking for koalas about 10 times--didn't see any :( down a hill, across a beach, through some nudists, up a shit ton of stairs and then back down the other side, along another beach, up even more stairs, through a residential area, along the highway and then, finally, we were back in Noosa. Apparently the trail we took just ended at the beach. It didn't loop.
photo while playing 4square at about 5pm in Byron
Steph and I at Cheeky Monkey's. Thats right--VIP area ;)
SAILBOAT!
Chris--travel buddy for the East Coast Adventure!
Hiking in the National Park, Noosa
Can't get your shoes wet....
Sunshine Beach--end of trail, still 2 hours from the hostel
Finally back in the right town!
Dinner at Cheeky Monkeys--this was supposed to be the first picture....
Monday, April 4, 2011
oops...
WOW its been forever. Sorry, I'm a horrible blogger. I was just looking at my last one and I was still in NZ. Crazy.
Quick Update:
Went to Auckland on Saturday and was there until the 10th when I flew into Brisbane. I almost missed my flight. It was really early. I got up on time, I made it to the airport and through security all the way to the gate. Then I fell asleep. Luckily someone woke me up when boarding was about 2/3 done and asked if this was my flight. Ummm I'm sleeping AT THE GATE of an early morning international flight. Of course this is my flight. I don't do that for kicks.
Got to Brisbane and there was a shuttle into the city leaving in about 10 minutes, perfect :) Met an Irish boy who had never been out of the country and decided to do his year long Visa. We were talking but he just kept looking out the windows and then finally commented on how high the buildings are. They were about 4 stories....
Got to the hostel around 11 but check in wasn't until 1. I requested to be in the same room as Steph, who had already been there for 5 days, and she said that was fine and I could go up to the room because it was cleaned already. Perfect! So then she explained where the room was and this girl standing there said she had just checked out and would take me up so I followed her around this huge building to the tiniest room I've ever seen. Shoved my bag under the bed, grabbed my computer and headed off to Maccers. Free Internet! Sitting with my meal off the dollar menu and STILL recovering from the night before (yes, this was one of the longest days I've ever had....stupid time changes and airplanes and hangovers) I eventually glance around and see Steph sitting at a table about 5 feet away! I screech her name, see her jump from sheer fright (the guy next to me looks scared as well....whatever, I was excited), grabbed my stuff and moved to her table. It had been TEN WHOLE DAYS.
Travel days are different than regular days. Something can have happened 5 days ago and I would bet my life it had been 2 weeks. So much can happen, you can meet new people and have life changing experiences in 24 hours. So yes, still in caps, 10 WHOLE DAYS.
We got back to the hostel and walk through the corridors to our room until eventually we both start going in opposite directions. I had said the same room...? The girl who had led me to the room had led me to the wrong room. There are multiple rooms numbered 214 in this hostel. About 4. WHY?? I had my stuff in the wrong room.....awkward. Obviously my key didn't work so I had to knock, woke someone up and explain that I needed to get my stuff because Oops, I'm not supposed to have taken that bed. Good I didn't unpack more than my computer.
The next day, 35 dollars, an aussie phone, and a 2 hour shuttle ride later we are in Byron Bay! We booked a dorm for a week at a hostel and then went off to find our friends from Bondi. While I was in NZ the group had made their way north to Byron and now we could all meet up again :)
Steph and I planned on staying for 1 week. It has now been 3 weeks. This morning we paid for another week in the hostel. oops.....
Byron is beautiful and amazing and sunny and sometimes rainy in the afternoons now that summer is officially over and the beach is literally 1 minute from my room :) This is the place photographs of dolphins swimming in the waves are taken. And I've seen it.
The night life is awesome. Every night people are going out. Everyone is super nice too, especially since we have been here for so long. Most people come in just for the weekend or a week and then leave but we have been here long enough that people who stay and work recognize us-- which we take full advantage of while we are out. Being friends with managers and bouncers and bartenders never hurts :) Plus some of my friends are working for the hostels too which brings a whole new level of benefit to the equation.
Not to mention, in about 45 minutes I start my first night of work at Cocomanga's, one of the bars in town. All I have to do is go around to different hostels for 2 hours handing out wrist bands and the manager will give me 30dollars. Easy peasy :) Tonight, tomorrow and wednesday! probably (I hope) next week too!
Who knew, come all the way to Australia and I still end up working in a bar......
Quick Update:
Went to Auckland on Saturday and was there until the 10th when I flew into Brisbane. I almost missed my flight. It was really early. I got up on time, I made it to the airport and through security all the way to the gate. Then I fell asleep. Luckily someone woke me up when boarding was about 2/3 done and asked if this was my flight. Ummm I'm sleeping AT THE GATE of an early morning international flight. Of course this is my flight. I don't do that for kicks.
Got to Brisbane and there was a shuttle into the city leaving in about 10 minutes, perfect :) Met an Irish boy who had never been out of the country and decided to do his year long Visa. We were talking but he just kept looking out the windows and then finally commented on how high the buildings are. They were about 4 stories....
Got to the hostel around 11 but check in wasn't until 1. I requested to be in the same room as Steph, who had already been there for 5 days, and she said that was fine and I could go up to the room because it was cleaned already. Perfect! So then she explained where the room was and this girl standing there said she had just checked out and would take me up so I followed her around this huge building to the tiniest room I've ever seen. Shoved my bag under the bed, grabbed my computer and headed off to Maccers. Free Internet! Sitting with my meal off the dollar menu and STILL recovering from the night before (yes, this was one of the longest days I've ever had....stupid time changes and airplanes and hangovers) I eventually glance around and see Steph sitting at a table about 5 feet away! I screech her name, see her jump from sheer fright (the guy next to me looks scared as well....whatever, I was excited), grabbed my stuff and moved to her table. It had been TEN WHOLE DAYS.
Travel days are different than regular days. Something can have happened 5 days ago and I would bet my life it had been 2 weeks. So much can happen, you can meet new people and have life changing experiences in 24 hours. So yes, still in caps, 10 WHOLE DAYS.
We got back to the hostel and walk through the corridors to our room until eventually we both start going in opposite directions. I had said the same room...? The girl who had led me to the room had led me to the wrong room. There are multiple rooms numbered 214 in this hostel. About 4. WHY?? I had my stuff in the wrong room.....awkward. Obviously my key didn't work so I had to knock, woke someone up and explain that I needed to get my stuff because Oops, I'm not supposed to have taken that bed. Good I didn't unpack more than my computer.
The next day, 35 dollars, an aussie phone, and a 2 hour shuttle ride later we are in Byron Bay! We booked a dorm for a week at a hostel and then went off to find our friends from Bondi. While I was in NZ the group had made their way north to Byron and now we could all meet up again :)
Steph and I planned on staying for 1 week. It has now been 3 weeks. This morning we paid for another week in the hostel. oops.....
Byron is beautiful and amazing and sunny and sometimes rainy in the afternoons now that summer is officially over and the beach is literally 1 minute from my room :) This is the place photographs of dolphins swimming in the waves are taken. And I've seen it.
The night life is awesome. Every night people are going out. Everyone is super nice too, especially since we have been here for so long. Most people come in just for the weekend or a week and then leave but we have been here long enough that people who stay and work recognize us-- which we take full advantage of while we are out. Being friends with managers and bouncers and bartenders never hurts :) Plus some of my friends are working for the hostels too which brings a whole new level of benefit to the equation.
Not to mention, in about 45 minutes I start my first night of work at Cocomanga's, one of the bars in town. All I have to do is go around to different hostels for 2 hours handing out wrist bands and the manager will give me 30dollars. Easy peasy :) Tonight, tomorrow and wednesday! probably (I hope) next week too!
Who knew, come all the way to Australia and I still end up working in a bar......
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