So mid-semester break was split up into 3 sections for me: cairns, cape tribulation, back to cairns. This quick entry will encompass section 1. And by quick I mean that you may not want to read all of this. It could turn out to be quite long, but this blog is also a journal for me, and I want to remember all of it. so there. :P
Debbie and I left for Cairns at 5:15 from Brisbane (Jess caught an earlier flight), which we were barely on time for. The trains were running late; silly public transportation…anyways, after agreeing to swap seats with this woman, who wanted to sit next to her boyfriend, I got to share the ride with a cute little 10-year-old, Curt, from outside Brisbane. He was flying for the first time by himself to see his older brother and cousins who live in Cairns. Lets just say sitting next to little Curt made the 2 1/2 hour plane ride very enjoyable. It made for a good start to the break.
Arriving in Cairns around 7:45, I said farewell to my plane buddy, caught up with Debbie, and we caught the shuttle to our hostel, Cairns Beach House. Now, let me preface the hostel with this: our travel agent, whose name is “Bucko,” told us that this was the place to be. Number one hostel in Cairns. Gilligans, where we wanted to stay, was 5th in line. Ahem, excuse me, BUCKO! Debbie and I get our keys to the room, the tile floors are wet, there is a whole in the cement wall, there are bugs all over the place, and then the shower would stop while you were still soapy. Let’s just say we were less than okay with this. Keeping the fact in mind that we were not going to be in the hostel 24/7 or for the whole week, we put up with it, then wrote Bucko an email the next morning. Debbie and I hit the sack pretty early in our cosy little hostel in order to rest up for white water rafting the next morning at 6AM!
6AM came all too quickly, but Debbie and I stumbled out of bed and down to the parking lot to drive down to the Tully river. Debbie had never been rafting before, so I was really excited to be doing this with her and see her reaction to it all. Since the river is low, the rapids ranged from 1-4. During the wet season, it’s supposedly crazy. I’d like to see that…but crazy or not, this was a great day full of rapids, waterfalls, rock jumping, swimming, and beautiful scenery. All around us mountains of 150 million year old rainforest gazed down on our little boat. Our guide pointed out the lava rock formations, the trees with berries that get parrots drunk, and informed us of each crazy rapid name.
We returned to the hostel that night, showered, went out for dinner, and hit the hay early from exaustion. The next day Debbie and I ventured down to the lagoon that Cairns had to offer for a little sun bathing and shopping. Oh, before that, I spent a few hours at a café down the road from the hostel and bought a coffee. Let me tell you about Australian iced coffee. It is not just coffee with ice. No no. It is coffee with cream and ice cream and whipped cream. Yes, lots of cream. I was not expecting this when I ordered my iced coffee, but I was plesantly surprised with the Geroge Clooney look alike waitor presented me with this milkshake of a coffee. It made my morning quite enjoyable. Anyways, after a few hours of the lagoon, we met up with the other girls from our program to go sign up for a pub crawl that night around Cairns. The pub crawl that night was so much fun! Dinner at Rhino Bar, 6 different bars, and pizza at the last bar. Each had its own feel, and you could always catch a different footy game that was on (rugby world cup coming up!) The next morning we were finally leaving the less than satisfactory accomodations so pushed upon us. We were headed to stay on Cape Tribulation for two nights in the middle of the rainforest!
This is the end of track one. Cape Tribulation coming shortly.
22.9.07
I heart the beach
So sorry it’s been so long since I’ve updated! Good news though…Pictures are up! Not nearly all, but there are many more to look at.
So the past couple weeks have been full of assignments and frisbee with friends. Nothing too exciting that needs to be reported, but lets just say that I’m still enjoying myself.
This past Saturday my phone spoke to me at 5:30, “The time is 5:30, it’s time to get up.” It makes me wake with a laugh for the fact that my phone talks, but then I realized the time it told me and groaned. I stepped out on to the balcony quickly with my camera to catch the sunrise over the river. Purple and Pink. No joke, check the photos. After standing on the balcony with my mouth hanging open for a few minutes, I had to ready myself for the day ahead. I dressed, packed, ate, and hurried on down to the bus stop on campus with Jess and Debbie. We were on our way to Byron Bay for the day with Butler!
I sat next to Debbie and Christi, our Student Services Coordinator, for the 2 hour drive down to Byron freezing our butts off cause the driver wouldn’t turn down the A/C. It was sooo cold. We arrived in Byron and defrosted before heading onto another bus: the Mojosurf Bus. Mojosurf was the company we went surfing and kayaking through aka the surf bums we hung out with all day that provided equipment. They were really fun guys, but I mean, they were my age and just loved surfing and this was a way to get paid for it. The nine of us that decided to go surfing that morning hopped in a small bus to head down to the little beach we would get lessons at with Seanno, our surf instructor, who goes to uni at Southern Cross. A 5 second lesson once we got on the beach, then into the water! I stood up on just about every wave but only for about 5 seconds before I lost my balance. Nat, one of the instructors, just told me to bend my legs and I’d be surfing like a pro. I’ll have to remember that…Basically I loved surfing, and I’m going back with Debbie in October and maybe with Katie in November. Heck yes.
After a couple hours or so of surfing, we piled back in the van to head back for kayaking. I was paired up in my kayak with the female instructor, who is a dive master for the area. We had a lot to talk about during kayaking between diving, rowing, and physio. After kayaking, we helped bring the gear in with the guys from mojo. Now, when I say we helped, I mean they had the stuff in the van, and the nine of us surfers drove to Seanno’s house so he could grab his skateboard, to some random house to drop off the kayaks, and back to Seanno’s to grab his shirt. Yea, that was an experience. haha, I laugh now just thinking about it just because they were so chill the whole time. We talked to the guys about meeting them out that night, as the majority of us stayed the night, then they dropped us off in Byron. I met up with Piper and we checked into our hostel, showered, and went out for dinner.
A friend of mine from home suggested a little pizza place called Earth n’ Sea (I found one just down the street in Taringa back in Brisbane, which I am very happy about) so we went for pizza down there. It was so good! I recommend the BBQ/Satay Chicken pizza with the restaurant’s home brewed beer. That makes for a great dinner expecially after a long day of sport. The rest of the night was spent out at a couple bars where we did end up meeting the surf bums, which ended up being a really great night out.
The next day Piper and I checked out of our hostel and headed down with all our bags to the beach. One smoothie and a chocolate croissant later, we were on the beach. Another reason that made me want to come back; the beaches are absolutely beautiful with crystal clear waters and surrounded by mountains. Beach and mountains? Together? I don’t think I could ask for more! A few hours soaking up sun on the beach (yes, I wore sunscreen…) and we went to walk up to the most eastern point in Australia. Gorgeous views, and lots of sun! Soon enough, it was time to get on the shuttle to go back to Brisbane. The weekend was more than I could’ve asked for, and I can’t wait to make it back to the surf and sun of Byron soon!
So the past couple weeks have been full of assignments and frisbee with friends. Nothing too exciting that needs to be reported, but lets just say that I’m still enjoying myself.
This past Saturday my phone spoke to me at 5:30, “The time is 5:30, it’s time to get up.” It makes me wake with a laugh for the fact that my phone talks, but then I realized the time it told me and groaned. I stepped out on to the balcony quickly with my camera to catch the sunrise over the river. Purple and Pink. No joke, check the photos. After standing on the balcony with my mouth hanging open for a few minutes, I had to ready myself for the day ahead. I dressed, packed, ate, and hurried on down to the bus stop on campus with Jess and Debbie. We were on our way to Byron Bay for the day with Butler!
I sat next to Debbie and Christi, our Student Services Coordinator, for the 2 hour drive down to Byron freezing our butts off cause the driver wouldn’t turn down the A/C. It was sooo cold. We arrived in Byron and defrosted before heading onto another bus: the Mojosurf Bus. Mojosurf was the company we went surfing and kayaking through aka the surf bums we hung out with all day that provided equipment. They were really fun guys, but I mean, they were my age and just loved surfing and this was a way to get paid for it. The nine of us that decided to go surfing that morning hopped in a small bus to head down to the little beach we would get lessons at with Seanno, our surf instructor, who goes to uni at Southern Cross. A 5 second lesson once we got on the beach, then into the water! I stood up on just about every wave but only for about 5 seconds before I lost my balance. Nat, one of the instructors, just told me to bend my legs and I’d be surfing like a pro. I’ll have to remember that…Basically I loved surfing, and I’m going back with Debbie in October and maybe with Katie in November. Heck yes.
After a couple hours or so of surfing, we piled back in the van to head back for kayaking. I was paired up in my kayak with the female instructor, who is a dive master for the area. We had a lot to talk about during kayaking between diving, rowing, and physio. After kayaking, we helped bring the gear in with the guys from mojo. Now, when I say we helped, I mean they had the stuff in the van, and the nine of us surfers drove to Seanno’s house so he could grab his skateboard, to some random house to drop off the kayaks, and back to Seanno’s to grab his shirt. Yea, that was an experience. haha, I laugh now just thinking about it just because they were so chill the whole time. We talked to the guys about meeting them out that night, as the majority of us stayed the night, then they dropped us off in Byron. I met up with Piper and we checked into our hostel, showered, and went out for dinner.
A friend of mine from home suggested a little pizza place called Earth n’ Sea (I found one just down the street in Taringa back in Brisbane, which I am very happy about) so we went for pizza down there. It was so good! I recommend the BBQ/Satay Chicken pizza with the restaurant’s home brewed beer. That makes for a great dinner expecially after a long day of sport. The rest of the night was spent out at a couple bars where we did end up meeting the surf bums, which ended up being a really great night out.
The next day Piper and I checked out of our hostel and headed down with all our bags to the beach. One smoothie and a chocolate croissant later, we were on the beach. Another reason that made me want to come back; the beaches are absolutely beautiful with crystal clear waters and surrounded by mountains. Beach and mountains? Together? I don’t think I could ask for more! A few hours soaking up sun on the beach (yes, I wore sunscreen…) and we went to walk up to the most eastern point in Australia. Gorgeous views, and lots of sun! Soon enough, it was time to get on the shuttle to go back to Brisbane. The weekend was more than I could’ve asked for, and I can’t wait to make it back to the surf and sun of Byron soon!
2.9.07
Weak Sauce to BBQ Sauce!...Hammer or You're Nothing!
So yesterday I spent the entire day at the beach. I woke up at 7 to get dressed and meet Al, Dan, and Katie waiting for me in Al's car to drive down to Coolongatta on the Gold Coast. As we were driving, we pointed out the cloudless sky, and we rolled the windows down to take in the perfect warm weather. It was going to be a good day.
Now, not only were we going to be on the beach. We played in a frisbee tournament on the beach. Barefoot. In the sand. Near the ocean. Amazing. We're one of the first cars there, so Katie and I decide to take a dip in the ocean before games started while the two guys threw the frisbee around a bit. The water was a bit chilly, but we got used to it; it is their winter still. More people started showing up, and pretty soon it was time to play. The cones set up, the teams color coordinated (thanks to Johnny and his extra pink shirts), and the sun above our heads, we were ready to play. It was alot different playing in the sand and alot more tiring. After each game we went for a swim, threw the frisbee, and jumped through the waves.
Pretty soon, we had played two games, and it was about 2, so we headed up to the beach club to have some lunch. Steak sandwiches (which are NOT like cheeseburgers, Brett) and chips followed by a hot sticky date pudding wrapped up the parts of my lunch. Brett, smart enough not to realize that chips came with the sandwich, ordered an entire bowl of them on top of the ones that came with it. So along came the dare...Brett enjoys smothering his chips in bbq sauce. We enjoy laughing at how much he puts on there. Pottsy finally said, "I'll give you a $10 note if you finish that whole bottle of sauce." Of course, Brett's in. After 3/4 of the bowl of fries, a couple shots, and one huge gulp of the bbq sauce, he was only half way. Johnny puts in another $10, but Brett gives in. Weak. Sauce. ha.
We then realized that we just spent about an entire hour up at the club, so we mozied on back down to the beach. We still had more frisbee to play! Although we were tired and full, we played some more. The disc flew in all directions; flicks, hammers, and other various passes zipped past defenses and into the hands of a player parallel to the ground. A few other layouts were less lucky, as in, they got a mouth full of sand but no disc as a reward. The sun was setting on the final couple games, and we all laid on the beach and admired the scene. Feeling that my face definitely received more sun than the rest of me, a group of us decided to head up to the club deck for a drink and the sunset. Pretty soon, everyone was up there and we were laughing at nicknames, southern belles, bbq sauce, and sunburns.
Driving back in Al's car, we got back to the city to drive right through riverfire, the massive fireworks display brisbane puts on every year the first week of september. I must say that we had one of the best views. It was pretty sweet. Overall, the day was perfect. Beach, sun, friends, frisbee, fireworks...lets do it again next weekend!
Now, not only were we going to be on the beach. We played in a frisbee tournament on the beach. Barefoot. In the sand. Near the ocean. Amazing. We're one of the first cars there, so Katie and I decide to take a dip in the ocean before games started while the two guys threw the frisbee around a bit. The water was a bit chilly, but we got used to it; it is their winter still. More people started showing up, and pretty soon it was time to play. The cones set up, the teams color coordinated (thanks to Johnny and his extra pink shirts), and the sun above our heads, we were ready to play. It was alot different playing in the sand and alot more tiring. After each game we went for a swim, threw the frisbee, and jumped through the waves.
Pretty soon, we had played two games, and it was about 2, so we headed up to the beach club to have some lunch. Steak sandwiches (which are NOT like cheeseburgers, Brett) and chips followed by a hot sticky date pudding wrapped up the parts of my lunch. Brett, smart enough not to realize that chips came with the sandwich, ordered an entire bowl of them on top of the ones that came with it. So along came the dare...Brett enjoys smothering his chips in bbq sauce. We enjoy laughing at how much he puts on there. Pottsy finally said, "I'll give you a $10 note if you finish that whole bottle of sauce." Of course, Brett's in. After 3/4 of the bowl of fries, a couple shots, and one huge gulp of the bbq sauce, he was only half way. Johnny puts in another $10, but Brett gives in. Weak. Sauce. ha.
We then realized that we just spent about an entire hour up at the club, so we mozied on back down to the beach. We still had more frisbee to play! Although we were tired and full, we played some more. The disc flew in all directions; flicks, hammers, and other various passes zipped past defenses and into the hands of a player parallel to the ground. A few other layouts were less lucky, as in, they got a mouth full of sand but no disc as a reward. The sun was setting on the final couple games, and we all laid on the beach and admired the scene. Feeling that my face definitely received more sun than the rest of me, a group of us decided to head up to the club deck for a drink and the sunset. Pretty soon, everyone was up there and we were laughing at nicknames, southern belles, bbq sauce, and sunburns.
Driving back in Al's car, we got back to the city to drive right through riverfire, the massive fireworks display brisbane puts on every year the first week of september. I must say that we had one of the best views. It was pretty sweet. Overall, the day was perfect. Beach, sun, friends, frisbee, fireworks...lets do it again next weekend!
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