That one time in Australia...

Well. According to my last post I was going to Australia, and in the process of being in another country I was going to start a blog. It didn't really work out well for me. Between the jet lag and the long days, and the $1.25 for 15 minute internet use... it wasn't going to happen. My apologies!
So, to catch you up...
I was in Australia for about three weeks. In that time I learned that rubbish cans are smelly, koala's are not cuddly or even friendly, and 'daggy' means the crusty part on a sheep’s arse. (Thank you Steven for helping me define that word!)

We started off in Sydney. This city reminded me of the U.S.'s bigger cities. Lots of people who run you over if you slow your pace. My observation of this city was almost everyone dressed in dark clothes. Mind you it is winter there but still... who doesn't enjoy a nice red shirt in winter? I never got sick of having the Opera House or Sydney Harbour Bridge in my sights. I did the climbing tour of the Bridge. It was fantastic! An unforgettable sights, that's for sure.

Featherdale park was an interesting find. This was the place I went crazy on the kangas! We got to go to the petting zoo where we could touch, play with and talk to the kangaroos and wallabies. I was running around like the paparazzi at the Grammys. This is also where we were saddened to find out koalas are emotionless creatures. They really only care about you if you find them.
We stopped in the blue mountains; one of God's finest works. I rode the steepest train in the world. Advice for the owners - get seat belts?!
We traveled to Brisbane via shuttle bus, and flew out from Brisbane to Cairns. I did get to see the Hangover II while in Brisbane for the night. If you want to sit in a comfortable seat for a movie, go to Brisbane. They pretty much lazy boys with out reclining ability.

We drove to Port Douglas for a few days. Seeing a crocodile on the side of the road really put the "you are in Australia" in my head, along with the, "holy shit that is a crocodile!" We saw the great barrier reef, another fantastic sight! I am not a big fan of fish, but it was enjoyable to see everyone in snorkeling gear with messy hair, goofy looking equipment on their faces and wet suits.
While in Port Douglas we stayed at the Port O'Call owned by a man named Steve. (Not everyone there is named Steve, but almost!) He had a great insight on life. He shared he life perspective that as college students we really appreciated. Steve had wanted to be a dentist, but ended up working for a big company. In that time he knew it was a good job but really didn't like it. When he met his wife he knew that change was in order. He quit his job, and opened the hostel in the small town of Port Douglas. He is the owner, bus driver, the receptionist, bartender, and maintenance man, or in order words a 'Steve of all trades'. I never saw him without a smile on his face. My favorite quote from him was "If you are giving your life and soul to work. Do something you like."

The rest of the trip we spent in Cairns. I went whitewater rafting with a hefty man named Marty. He threw us out of the raft to 'test our swimming skills.' I also went skydiving. Yes. I paid money to be strapped to a stranger and jump out of a plane at 11,000 feet. Why? Because I could.
Traveling to Australia was a bucket list check-off. More than that it was a piece of my life that will never be forgotten. The night sitting on the Jetty looking at the stars and feeling the wind blow through my hair? Unforgettable. Playing a didgeridoo? Extremely difficult. Sitting on the wrong side of the fence on the tip of a mountain to get a picture of the edge? Stupid but worth it. Watching the sunrise twice on the way home? Mind-blowing.
Entire trip was worth every penny.

"A man sooner or later discovers that he is the master-gardener of his soul, the director of his life."--James Allen