Whitsunday Islands

Favorite trip of all times. 

Early Friday February 26th my friends and I were picked up from Peppers at 4 am to head to the Brisbane Airport. Flying Virgin Australia at 6:25 am we landed into Prosperine 20 minutes early where me and Giselle immediately went to go buy a cappuccino because, life. The airport transfer picked us up and dropped us off at the Wing's Office for us to check into our boat. After a quick check in and anxious excitement to get on the boat we made our way to the Airlie Beach Marina where we would wait for the boat to pick us up. 

All aboard: Wings 3 boat!

This Whitsunday trip included a 2 night 3 day stay upon the Wings 3 Catamaran. Upon getting on the boat we were greeted with pizza and given the low down for the day. After getting our room assignments (I was in a 8 person room on the top bunk) we all hung out on the front of the boat as we sailed through the island to our first snorkel spot. Talk about an unreal experience. Sitting there in the blaring sun we all could not get over what were doing this weekend. Living on a boat sailing the Whitsunday Islands, okay. 

The first spot to snorkel how exciting! We all jumped into the water and snorkeled around looking around for everything and anything moving. Unfortunately it was a little cloudy in this area and we didn't see the best coral however it was a good start and feel to get back into the water! 

After that we got back on the boat and just relaxed and waited for dinner to happen. By waiting for dinner I mean my friends and I were anxiously to shove ANYTHING in our mouths because our stomachs were just starving at this point. Of course they had appetizers out but nothing that seemed of interest to me. Finally around 7:45 pm dinner was served: marinated chicken, corn, cold slaw! The rest of the night was pretty short as all of us just went straight to bed, after 18 hours awake it was needed. 

Wake up call: Breakfast at 7am! I broke lent again here (sorry!!!!). Breakfast was cereals, toasts and fruit. After that were thrown into the dingy to bring us in groups to the moment we had all been waiting for, White Haven Beach. When Googling Whitsunday Island this is the picture that appears. The beautiful sand bars that appear during the fall and rise of the rides, breath taking. We had to walk our way through the wooden path for about 15 minutes until reaching this lookout and it was worth it. 

We than were able to go onto the beach and walked down without wet suits (wild!) and swam in the water. The water was much like Italy as it was completely crystal clear and blue as could be. After tking pictures here and there and messing with the go pro we all headed back to the boat to bring us to South White Haven beach to lay out and swim around. Here, Kat, one of the helpers on board was busy taking pictures of us as optical illusions of jumping out of the Vegemite can, very entertaining. After about an hour we headed back to the boat for lunch. Lunch today was make your own sandwich (with turkey go figure!!). After digesting it was time for snorkeling this time at 2 different sights.

This second day of snorkeling was unreal. We saw a turtle and followed him for quite a long time with everyone trying to get their own selfie with him. The coral was A LOT brighter in these areas and we saw so many different kinds of fish. I was patiently waiting for a octopus or barracuda but I didn't not see either! But the turtle made up for it. 

Snorkeling definitely takes a lot out of you. After taking our allotted 1 minute showers we all headed to the top of the boat and relaxed while being served nachos. Devoured those of course and waited for dinner. Dinner this time was beef stir fry with peppers, carrots and onions, a side of rice, and string beans! Very good I must say. After dinner and sitting on the boat we had our own little dolphin show with different dolphins swimming around the boat, a mother and child, absolutely adorable. Talk about seeing wild life this trip.  

After the show we had a powerpoint presentation of the slides and the intreat for the next day. 

Wake up call was again at 7 am and we were in the water snorkeling by 7:30 due to an early departure time of 8:40 to head back to the Marina. This snorkeling session was just as great as the last one and we even saw another turtle and met a little cute yellow fish who just wouldn't leave us alone. 

And than it was time to arrive back and head to the airport so sad! 

This trip was truly breath taking. I felt truly blessed and fortunate to be able to take this trip. It was recently rated 12/20 on the TripAdvisor's must see beaches, so another one for the bucket list has been checked off. Never been happier and can't wait to see what my next trip on Wednesday brings, Bali here we come! 

Turtle! 

Moreton Island

"Its one night camping trip on an island called Moreton Island."

On Saturday February 13th my friends and I awoke at 5 am to catch the 5:30 bus to Bond University. We boarded the Coach bus and were enroute to the Brisbane Ferry stop! After an hour and a half ride we arrived in Brisbane and boarded the ferry. *Note 1: Upon booking the trip we were told the ferry was 40 minutes, wrong, it was an hour and a half.*

When we dock on the shore (quite literally the boat parked itself on the sand) we were welcomed with massive rain clouds and the opening of the sky. Typical we have been in and out of Gold Coast's wet season making certain encounters and trips very unfortunate. So we get off the boat and are shuffled into a 4WD truck to take us to our living accommodations, lol. We get to the camp site and all i see are tents set up and a "kitchen area."

*Thoughts currently running through my mind at this time: help*

Standing underneath the tent with the 40 other visitors we are all trying to dodge the rain. This was definitely not the Valentine's weekend any of us had in mind! As the skies are pouring down on us the instructors of the tour tell us that we are going snorkeling at the Ship Wreck back near where we came in, great! We all change into our bath suits and run to the truck, already soaked. Upon getting to the water I am shivering (I mean no surprise I am cold in 80 degree weather but this is differentt). The water is warmer once you are inside of it so we decide to ditch the kayaking and just go snorkeling. We bribed the instructor for a wet suit to help keep us warm. The one I was given could have fit another one of me inside but hey anything is better than nothing! We went out to to the ship wreck and saw a bunch of fish but nothing too too special certainly cool though. After about an hour in the water we were sent back to the camp grounds where lunch was served.

Lunch consisted of Ham and Salad Rolls and fruits that were out. Not exactly my cup of tea, this is why I always pack my own stuff! After lunch the sky decided to work in our favor and we headed to a hike called Mount Tempest. We were driven in the 4WD truck to get to the hike. The "roads" are all sand and are paths that are enclosed within two rock walls and not smooth paths either. Talk about a near death experience when going 50 mph in a narrow, up and down, path. Going to the hike I was in the back of the car staring at a girl who kept claiming she was not going to be good (great) but we made it safe and sound.  It was worth the climb as we were brought to a stunning lookout of the island from up above. After coming back down and calling Shot Gun in the car we made our way back to the camp ground where we had free time before dinner. This consisted of us going to the beach to sit and relax and just enjoy the sunset with some corn chips.

Dinner that night consisted of burgers, sausages, salad and with a side of a million mosquitos. After dinner I was wrapped up so tightly in my clothes to make sure not a single inch of my skin was exposed. It is safe to say mosquitos do not care about insect repellent because I am pretty certain I had more bites than a deer has ticks. A happy camper, I think not. I huddled around the fire for a while to ward off the bugs but it didn't seem to help! At that point we decided to wrap it up for the night while other people were wasted (definitely not the scene I could deal with). Going to bed was me Christina and Marisol in a tent nestled and douched in bug spray. I lasted a good 2 hours where I was awoken by my body over heating and itchy beyond belief. After tossing and turning me and marissa decided we needed to move to the beach.

Well, this might have been the greatest experience of my life. Marissa and I walked to the beach (while holding our nose past the bathroom) and set up our sleeping bags. Talk about sleeping under the stars, omg. Was unsure if I was on the set of a movie or in real life. I have never in my life, not even in the US Virgin Islands seen stars this big and so close. It was a another peaceful 3 hours of sleep on the beach and than it was time for breakfast at 6 am. I broke lent for the first time here but in desperate measures I needed food (forgive me Jesus).

This day we had a jammed packed day. In the beginning we were trucked out to the Westerly part of the island to one of their beaches and champagne pools. We than made it to the Blue Lagoon, a lagoon where the water is drinkable and swimmable at the same time (definitely was not down to drink that). However after that were brough back to camp for some lunch which consisted of wraps and salads and fruit and than it was time to Sand Board. We drove to a place called the Desert. And Let me tell you that was exactly what it was. Hills of sand I thought I was Mary walking through Jerusalem. Sweating and thinking I could go down at any point I decided to watch instead of engaging in the activity. My friends went sand boarding, much like sledding, down the hills. After girls enduring burns we made it to the beach to relax and wait for the ferry to take us back to brisbane.

After all our modes of transportation we had finally made it home to Peppers and I have never been so happy. Who knew 1 night and 2 days could feel so incredibly long.

Was I happy I went, yes. Did I have fun, yes. Would I go back, I don't think so! Unless it was nicer conditions but I am not one to camp! But I can cross "camping in australia" off my bucket list and many people are not able to do that so I am blessed.

Little things!

So being on the Gold Coast there is so much to see in this area! So far me and a few friends have decided to take advantage of these close wonders and have ventured out a little. We have seen Broadbeach (we live on it), Burleigh Heights and even out to Brisbane!




We live on Broadbeach so it is not much a of a trek to get to, just a short 1000 steps! I like to going to the beach after class or on Monday's when I have no class (hehe!). What is nice about Broadbeach is that there aren't many people on it ever so it is definitely a nice place for a relaxing afternoon.

Burleigh Heights: a beautiful little small hike get away with an incredible view. A few friends and I decided to come out to Burleigh Heads which is only about 20 minutes away from our home. After climbing up a paved path it leads you at to a beautiful view! If you're daring you can slide under the fence and take a cute picture on the rock down below!

Brisbane: Hannah, Jackie, Marisol and I decided to take advantage of the train and wen tout to Brisbane one afternoon. Here we rented the City Cycle bikes and biked all around town. We biked over a bridge which was probably one of the more terrifying experiences of my life (good luck to me bunging jumping)! Than we took an uber out to the Lone Pine Koala Sanutary! Here I not only paid $18 to hold a koala (no doubt the best 18 I've spent) BUT also was able to feed a kangaroo and get a great picture with him (unlike Featherdale Zoo)! After spending time at the Zoo and being interrupted by Asians who kept cutting lines we decided to head back to the train station. We had a long uber tide back with a driver who was from Tasmania and for some reason he would not stop talking. He finally dropped us off and we had a nice (expensive) lunch on the water before heading home!



 

Another week down

Well, keeping up with a blog was a lot harder than I thought it was going to be! I keep getting too distracted and too busy to fill in each journal post (which I guess is a good thing).

So.. let's fill in some time

Right now I just started Week 4 of classes (mind blogging and nauseating to think about- time is flying). Over the past few weeks of school I have really adjusted to the Australian life style and officially am comfortable with all my surroundings, as if that was hard to accustom to. Classes are so interesting so far I really have to say I enjoy them, granted I am only taking three of them. My favorite so far is definitely Buddhist Philosophy! In class we have begun to learn all about buddhism, but more in the lifestyle aspect not in a religious aspect which I truly enjoy. We have been mediating in class which is definitely a lot harder than it seems.

Last weekend we took our first trip to Byron Bay, a good start to the semester! The transportation for our trip was in the "Magic Bus." Yes as you are probably thinking it was a very hippie, psyadelic bus ride which made sense for our first destination, Nimbin. Nimbin is a small town on the Gold Coast known for its "herbs" and "medicines" that help people, in other words a HUGE weed town. Think of anything and everything that could possibly have weed in it and you will find it in Nimbin.. along with some other very interesting people. Me and Hannah were exploring the town and walked past an old women selling her paintings in front of the Art Gallery. I turned my attention to her and as she was saying "unique paintings, authentic paintings" she flashed me a notecard that said, cookies. And passing other older men on the street they would ask you, "do you need anything?" in reference to any drug under the sun. Needless to say not my ideal place but not a place to miss either.
     We than got back into the bus and started to make our way to Byron Bay while enduring a miserable rainy ride! Naturally I was sitting next to the window that drenched me but definitely worth the experience. We finally made it to Byron where we stayed in the Backpacker Inn Hostel. The first night included dinner and a night out at the Cheeky Monkey! The next day, unfortunately my kayaking with dolphins was cancelled so I instead went on the Lighthouse Walk tour while my friends went sky diving. A "leisurely walk" turned into a hell of a hike that had my ass sore for the following week, and sunburn although it was extremely cloudy (go figure- typical Australia with random UV of 11)! However, it was cool because the hike brought us to the Most Easterly part of Australia-- I can check that off my bucket list! That night we had a Hostel sponsored BBQ and than it was off to Woody's, another local bar-- where me and Marisa managed to score a few free drinks and successfully learned how to order a strong drink at the bar (Australia doesn't do shots so ask for a lot of ice and little soda when ordering your vodka sodas- you won't be disappointed!). On Sunday it was time to go home but we had the whole day to ourselves to explore. Hannah and I decided to hit the beach for about 2 hours until the continuous sand storm was simply unbearable after a while. The two of us than ventured throughout town, got lunch at the cutest restaurant and laid out on the grass near the water until Hannah was bite by a green ant, apparently they're a problem here in Aus.
    The bus ride back to Bond University felt like half a second after the initial 9 hour bus ride it took to get there! Plus me and Hannah got snagged the good seats on the bus again (girl with long legs must be accommodated in small conditions).

So, I might sound like a brat but I live in a 5 star Resort Hotel for the 4 months in room 802 with Caroline Whalden, Jackie Beaudet and Kylie Bongaardt! I live directly with Caroline and than Jackie and Kylie share a room! Each room has 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a living room, washer and dryer and multiple porches. There is a pool, gym, sauna, zen garden, steam room and movie theater in the building on level 3. We are given a welcome box of food and free pizza at the beach by Helen, one of the resident directors. This doesn't feel real and I am wondering when it will. How did I get so lucky to live on a beach?! The first week is called O week and is filled with orientation events and signing up for my first trip, Byron Bay!

This first week I become really good friends with Hannah, Marissa and Jackie-- definitely a good core four. We endure some really interesting things from Marissa getting punched in the nose at the bus stop and me in the back of the head, parties at Don's Tavern, Marissa's birthday at East, endless adventures to Pacfic Fair with Hannah, exploring Surfer's Paradise and my first ever Surf Lesson- and made it on the TEAN Instagram:

The first week of classes went well but naturally I had to change around my schedule. Bond University failed to tell me that my class was on another campus so there goes Psychology of Sport but you win some you lose some. The rest of my classes went well and I spent the rest of the first two weeks booking trips out of the wazoo. So far my upcoming trips are:

• January 26-28th: Byron Bay 
• February 13 and 14: Moreton Island
• February 26-28th: Whitsunday Island
• April 8-13th: New Zealand
• April 24-29th: Fiji 

Things happening so far

Naturally computer failures and hard drive replacements had to occur when I decided to venture across the world, but none the less here we are!

So, at this point of the semester I have almost been in Australia for three weeks (mind blowing to think)! In just the past three weeks alone I have created great friendships with people who I know I will be in touch with for a while and years to come. I have seen some incredible places already and none of them are the big trips I have planned so I know I am in for a treat! But let's start back from the beginning so I can fill you in on some things

Day 1: January 4th 2016
Today is the day, I am officially venturing to the other side of the world but for some reason I still cannot believe it. I wake up this morning excited to embark on a journey that I know will be life changing. As I collect my things, SQUEEZE my luggage shut and double (triple) check I have everything I am ready to jump into the car to get the ball rolling. I start to say the hardest goodbyes before I even leave the house to both my brother and my little puppy, its going to be a long four months with out them. On the way to Newark I have my mom driving and my sister in the back seat (complaining of a head ache lol) and the entire way I still don't feel anything clicking. We fly to Newark with no traffic, so far so good. I jump out of the car and now one of the hardest goodbyes has to come. I hug my sister and immediately start crying, how am I going to leave her for four months? Sure I do it at school but Australia, really?! I feel more comfortable knowing I am following her footsteps and am aware of the trip I am about to have as she still cannot stop talking about going to Gold Coast just two years ago. After a tearful separation I am ready to walk in. I check in at the Kiosk and place the luggages on the scale.. problem #1 has no been endured.

One luggage is 47 lbs (blessed) and than the other one is 60 (aw, so cute!). So there me and my are in the middle of Newark Airport with both of my luggages wide open (thats a cute pair underwear and aw Gas X in the pocket, adorable!) With some quick traveling expertise skills my mom and I are able to save the day and the man at the counters lets me get away with 51 lbs for each bag. So up the stairs I go to security, obviously the longest line. Well, the worst part of the trip has come -- saying goodbye to the one person I can count on at any minute, any hour and any day, my twin, workout buddy, cooking/baking partner and absolute role model.. my mother. We stand hugging (crying) each other for a good 3.5 minutes. She stands there squeezing me telling me to be safe, make friends and that if I want to come home she would send me home in a heart beat even if it cost a million dollars. We finally part from each other but there she is standing at the security line waiting for me to go through <3

I finally make it out of security and to the Continental Lounge, oh yeah. I sit here for a good hour and half relaxing, indulging in some yummy snacks and sipping on some seltzer (RIGHT ON MAN). And than it is time to find my gate for my first flight to Los Angeles. I sit in my seat, the window seat (the perfect seat for the girl with a tiny bladder) with an Asian man next to me and a frantic Franny at the isle. As we are on the runway (nearly off the ground) Franny is yelling at the Asian man for using his phone, "ARENT YOU SUPPOSED TO PUT THAT OFF?! ON AIRPLANE MODE?!" Oh jeez this should be interesting. Well, luckily the flight goes smoothly and I get to LA an hour early. I collect my bags, recheck them and make my way to the next gate to wait for a few hours. After getting some food to eat (thank you United for giving 0 free food items on a 6 hour flight) I decide to venture to the gate to meet the ~TEAN people.~

"Are you a TEAN?" the only words I hear for the next few hours as new girls trickle in. I begin to talk to girls, all of them seem so nice! Here is where I meet Hannah Sibel and Lianne Villaincourt (I stalked you both on FB lol). I also meet Claire and Sarah a hilarious pair of roommates. As we sit there and break the ice we finally are able to board the double decker Qantas Flight to Melbourne! All of us questioning how the fuck we are going to  last 16 hours but here goes nothing. I decided earlier on in the airport to move from seat 84F to 54C so I depart from most of the girls and am placed next to a not so happy english (or Australian, hard to tell) older couple. They are "secretly" talking about me, honestly the man could not make it more obvious. At one point I get up to get myself a water bottle, sit back down and strap in to than have the old man ask me if I could get him an his wife a bottle each. Sorry, wasn't aware my ticket also came with a complimentary "Become a Qantas Flight Attendant for your flight!" (I did it though, ugh an angel).

We land in Melbourne, also an hour early, and now it is time to find my way through the customs line. Super easy which was confusing but I make it through Customs and to the baggage claim where I am in a shear panic, thinking I am in the wrong place, but than lo and behold is Hannah Sibel! Together we get our luggages, make it through customs and RUN to the next gate for our flight to Sydney. I am now sweating. Anything after a 15 hour flight feels like a short break so up in the air and back down we go, finally we are in Sydney!

We arrive to ICMS, the place we are staying for Orientation week and fun fact: is also where they filmed the Great Gatsby. For the next week I am in a single in a very dingy dorm with weird food but its just a week right? Here I start to find a solid group of girls and finally meet all of the roommates. Throughout this week we take trips to Manly beach, Sydney, Darling Harbor, the aquarium and Bondi Beach (what a beauty that was!). We have a fun night out in Sydney after we were given dinner thanks to TEAN at the Blackbird Cafe. Afterward we decide to listen to Todd and go to the Scary Carnari for a night out which was filled with tourist from all over the world but mostly people from our program! I even took a Yager bomb shot with a random Aussie man. We make our way to Featherdale Wild Life Zoo where I get (attempt) to get a good picture with the koalas and the kangaroos. And we end the week with a dinner cruise with all the new friends and a final good bye from Todd.

The week goes and flies and than it is time for another airport (ugh) but finally to GOLD COAST! After arriving in Brisbane airport we go to the baggage claim but obviously I am given 1 of my 2 bags. Ends up, if all of the TEAN bags were placed on the flight the flight would have been too heavy and too dangerous so I didn't mind waiting the extra half hour to it from the next flight. Almost there, now just a bus ride away, an hour bus ride to be exact. And than there it is, Peppers, the place I can call home for the next 4 months, holy shit.