Refreshed by WA

The Round House | Fremantle, WA | 1.22.11 

I packed up and flew to Perth last Thursday. I think it was obvious in a previous post that I had some anxiety about the move. Well here is how it all panned out: 

Recognizing laundry amenities and home-cooked meals were no longer going to be at my fingertips,  I spent my last day on the Goldy enjoying a delicious meal with the Borsboom's and packing up my clean clothes! (A traveler's tip- roll your clothes. Beth helped me pack using this new strategy and with all of my clothes rolled up I still had room for more.)

When I got to the airport there was a nice long check in line that I did not have time for. They ended up moving me to the front of the line only to learn that my luggage was 1 kilo over and I needed to take something out of my bag. Too bad I hadn't yet figured out how one kilo translates to pounds. In my hurried state I just started pulling things out of my bag and waited for the attendant to approve.  What I was going to do with the extra kilo of possessions was still a mystery! I received my boarding pass and ran through security. I had stuffed the extra weight into my carry-on and just crossed my fingers that none of it would be taken away. 

Next thing I knew- I was in Sydney trying to get my timezones straightened out so I wouldn't be rushing to my next flight. I grabbed a quick bite to eat and headed to my next flight. This is when it really set in that I really was starting a new part of my journey. 

I was picked up at the airport by a Belgian woman named Lute- a friend of a friend. Having someone pick me up at the airport was good. It made me feel less like I was being thrown into a new place and more like I was just getting set down gently. I stayed the night at her place and she and her boyfriend cooked me up a nice dinner of kangaroo and cous cous! Yes, you read that correctly. I ate Kangaroo. It was nice. Kind of like steak, maybe a bit chewier. It is very good for you- high in protein, zero cholesterol. There is a lot of controversy about whether it is appropriate to eat the animal used on the country's Coat of Arms, but I couldn't be in Australia and not try it! Dinner was followed by tea and legit Belgian chocolate that was to die for. Things were looking up! 

Friday morning Lute and I had some great conversations about a variety of topics, namely Australia's education system, (a system that is worthy of its own blog post) and she toasted up Belgian waffles that her family sent over. Between the waffles and the chocolate I am starting to think Belgium may need to go on my bucket list!

THEN....it was time. Time to face reality and head to my new place of residence. Unsure how to mentally prepare for moving into a hostel, I put a smile on my face and pretended I was the best thing to hit this planet. Haha- for real though- I needed to do this so I could remain confident and not freak out. 

Nonetheless I freaked out. (Kept smiling though so no one else could tell!)  Pit in my stomach, I marched up the first floor to room one, introduced myself to the 5 girls in my room and marched right back downstairs clueless of what I was actually planning to do once I hit the main floor again. I walked around a bit, trying to look as if it wasn't my first day there. Walked to the pool area- a group chatting, and another group smoking- possibly something other than tobacco. Walked through the kitchen and TV area- people everywhere, nobody talking- just intently watching a movie.  Walked to the front- a couple people at the bar, and more smokers out on the patio.  Not quite feeling ready to invite myself into one of these groups I went straight to the computer and wrote an e-mail to some of my friends back home. It turned out to be a good exercise as it reminded me that I didn't have anything to lose here because no matter what-  I had them (and tons of other people) back home. So with my second wind of confidence I walked back to the front, bought a beer and introduced myself to the crowd. 

Next thing you know 

   

I was here: An alternative bar, watching a band that considered their music genre to be "Rocker-Billie". I would say it was more like Johnny Cash with an electric guitar and some screaming here and there. 

And I was with them: A group from England- each with a different background. 

                                                      

After a fun night of unique music and new friends I woke up excited and ready to conquer Western Australia. 

On Saturday I was given a tour of the area in and around Perth. The outing consisted of good conversation with new perspectives and scenery that had me reveling in Australia's biggest state.  

Kite Surfer | Scarborough Beach 

Fremantle Port 

North Beach | Fremantle, WA

There isn't anything quite like traveling. I smile just thinking about it and become giddy every time I acknowledge the fact that I am halfway across the world!  

The apprehension I had before traveling to Perth, and the fact that I have already conquered it, has me feeling refreshed and on top of the world! 

We all know life is short. Unfortunately, it can take heartbreaking news to remind us of this very fact. 

I have been reminded. 

A friend from high school mourns the loss of his father this week. A successful, well respected man that was far too young to have passed. 

Hard to think about anything else, I found myself overcome with guilt as I reflected on how he and his family must be feeling right now and how I...I have it so good. 

Guilt is sort of a selfish reaction though, and it creates an abundance of other emotions that are hard to keep organized. Recognizing this, I decided to take a different approach...

With an empty restaurant, my morning shift at work was cut short; which meant I had unanticipated time to kill before my next shift. 

The sky was an incredible blue and the afternoon was mine!

Now, I direct you to the picture at the top- the one that you may have deemed to be a bit inappropriate for the subject at hand. 

I can explain.

This is a picture of how I decided to reorganize my emotions: I ordered a glass of Pinot Grigio, and gazed out to a never-ending sea of blue. 

But it isn't the wine or the view that is what's important about this picture. It is the mere fact that I was capable of enjoying these two things (at 11am on a Tuesday might I add), and even more so the fact that I couldn't find a reason not to. 

So, putting the guilt aside, I take this difficult reminder- that life is short, and continue to take advantage of every second this journey offers.  

Please keep the Kloet family in your prayers this week. 

And you too should be reminded: Enjoy today... do something just because you can and be grateful for it. 

Flooded

(Photo credit- All Voices Global News) 

The north coast of Queensland is flooded.

Brisbane is flooded.

New South Wales is next to be flooded.

Melbourne is getting heavy rains and might get flooded.

The Gold Coast is not flooded, but wet... and has left me emotionally flooded.

I am finding myself inside far more often than I would like to be. Being inside has never been my thing, and let me tell you- being inside knowing there is a beautiful ocean ten minutes away that I can't enjoy makes it even worse.

I'm homesick. There isn't enough for me to do inside to keep my mind from wandering back to the US. 

I need to do something about it. Quickly.

 With one month down, and only 5 to go, time is ticking and I have no room for regrets on this journey.

So...

I have a change in plans. Although no solid plans have ever existed for this trip, a rough outline did- and my next venture is far from what was outlined. Actually, it is as far away as I can go, without actually leaving the country.

As I mentioned in a blog post last week- "Just Do Everything" is my current motto. So after two days of heavy contemplating I have decided to take my own advice and DO IT. I am packing up and heading to Perth.

(see map below- Perth is the dot you see on the West Coast...yeah the one that doesn't have ANYTHING else around it)

 

WHY PERTH?

Because I spoke with two very kind women from Perth the other night at work and it got me thinking.
Because I think Perth will be unique. And maybe different from anywhere else I have been.
Because Perth is supposed to be slow and quiet compared to the other big cities in OZ.
Because I still haven't learned to surf (due to the rain) and Perth has been said to provide some of the best surfing in the world.
Because it is supposed to be a little less expensive in Perth.

AND...Most of all...
Because it is the only (no exaggeration) major area in Australia that doesn't have clouds in the forecast.

I would be lying though if I didn't tell you this sudden decision to move cross country has my stomach in knots. I am living quite nicely on the Gold Coast- like a princess really. I live in a beautiful home, with an incredible family.

I find Beth doing my laundry and ironing my clothes, Emma gives me rides anywhere I need to go, Steven lets me tag along with him and his friends, and John makes sure I am always included. (He also harasses the boys that come to the door for me like my own father would!)
Rent is cheap, I have my own room with a big bed, my clothes are hung in a closet and folded in a dresser, and I am comfortable... to say the least.

I also have a job here that pays good money. I have a couple of good friends that I know I can always call if I need anything. I know my way around.  I have a bike that a kind person lent to me...free of charge. I finally feel like I have everything figured out.
Life is easy.

So yeah, call me crazy for  leaving all of this for bunk beds and communal showers. Not to mention all of the unknowns that come with being in a new city in a different country.

I am nervous...but equally excited.
And up for the challenge.

As of January 14th I have quit my job (the hardest part), booked my flights, and reserved a bed in a hostel. Now- I just need to become unattached to the Gold Coast (i.e. the nice house I am staying in and the family that comes with it) and think only positive thoughts about Perth and this next journey of my trip!

Cheers to a new city...that isn't flooded!
  

A Group Tour

I gave in. 

I booked myself a spot on a guided group tour. 

 Lamington National Park, O'Reillys, and Tamborine Mountain. 

During this day trip...

I came across an American in Australia for the first time ~ I was nominated the official headcounter of the group (there were 23 of us) ~ I climbed above the tree tops in a rainforest ~ I caught a glimpse of a freshwater eel ~

and...

  
I set eyes on a wild wallaby. Finally! 
She belongs to the "Pretty Face" wallaby family. Note the pretty stripes on her face. 

I took in the sites and smells of an Alpaca farm. 
    
What are alpacas used for you ask? If you guessed "fleece" then you are right on the money. I was able to pet Roy the Alpaca and he had a plush thick coat on him- perfect for a nice warm sweater. 
   
Interesting fact: Breeders determine their alpacas are pregnant by walking a male alpaca past the females. 
The ones that spit at him are the ones that are knocked up. Smart women!  
   

I met JOHN, my Hinterland tour guide. 

A kind old man with a dorky sense of humor, a bit of road rage and a lot of

 knowledge about the sites and sounds of the Aussie Mountains. He was great! 

   

I saw the ocean from the top of a mountain. (A bit hard to see in this picture. Just trust me)

If only Colorado offered this same luxury. 

I was enthralled by the assortment of colossal trees. I wish I could share the vastness of them with you- I couldn't fit a whole tree in one picture no matter how hard I tried!

 I hand fed a wild Crimson Rosella. 

How many people do you know can say they have done that?!

   

I appreciated another "absolutely stunning" view.

Tour guide John referred to everything as "absolutely stunning" all day long. You know its good if after 100s of trips up the mountain the tour guide is still fascinated by the views. 

I gave up wine tasting and shopping in exchange for a hike through the rainforest. 
Halfway through the day we were given the option to stay in town to shop and tour the wineries or head to the rainforest for a hike (aka 5 minute walk) to Curtis Falls. With the realization that it's not everyday I can walk through a rainforest, the decision to give up wine and shopping wasn't difficult. 
    
And with a destination like this:

I am confident I made the right call. 

  
Despite my reluctancy to admit I am a tourist and book a guided group tour-- I had a great day with some interesting people and heaps of fantastic sites :-) 
  
A group-tour-snob no more!

What Else | Part 2

What else... do they say in AUS?

There are so many words that are unique to the Australian lingo I couldn't possibly record them all. I try to take note of the good ones and will continue to write about them, but for now- here are a few I hear most often:
Sunnys = sunglasses

Dunny = the bathroom
Stubbies = mens shorts or bottles of beer
Heaps = a lot
Swimmers = a swimsuit
Thongs = flip flops

Similar to the States, just about everyone in Australia has a nickname. It was brought to my attention by some Aussie friends that even though Americans and Australians share a lot of first names, the nicknames that derrive from these names are usually different. For example: Jason is known as Jase in Australia. American's would most likely call him Jay.

This discovery developed quite a conversation around the picnic table one afternoon and I ended up giving everyone new nick names! It was determined that Aussies generally use the first syllable of one's name, while American's use just the first letter or a whole different name all together- ie. Robert = Robby in Aussie, and Bob in the States. One syllable names in AUS almost always get an "ie" on the end; we do this in the US too, but usually only for children. Think about it!

What else... do they eat in AUS?

Chocolate. Lot's of variety, several different brands, and no Hersheys. They even have a restaurant dedicated to Chocolate: Chocolate by the Bald Man Max Brenner, where I enjoyed banana bread...with chocolate sauce! 

Marshmallows. They are EVERYWHERE, in EVERYTHING and I LOVE them! They taste better in Australia and I will certainly be sending a stash home before I depart!  Below is my first attempt at recreating a New Zealand special- Marshmallow Balls. I must say they turned out pretty good! 

Devonshire Tea. Well this one threw me for a loop! While waitressing the other day a guy ordered a cappuccino and then a Devonshire Tea. I, assuming (wouldn't you?) that both of them were hot drinks, asked if he wanted the Devonshire Tea instead of his cappuccino. With a perplexed look on his face he confirmed that, no, he would have both. When the chef handed me a plate and said "Devonshire Tea for table 16", I soon realized it was not a drink at all. The man must have thought I was crazy! Devonshire Tea is actually a couple of scones served with jam and cream and is served along side a cup of coffee or tea.  It stems from Devon, England where the tradition of eating scones with jam and cream along with coffee or tea began. 

The scones used for Devonshire Tea are different too.  They aren't your typical triangular pastry that you would expect to get, rather they are similar to what we would call a biscuit. Something we would top with butter at dinner time. 

This was my first encounter with Devonshire Tea and it was delightful! 

A few other food differences: 
Biscuits = any type of cookie. Not at all something you would put butter on at dinner time.
Capsicum is the name they use when referring to red, yellow or green peppers

Coriander is the same thing as Cillantro

They don't know what corn bread is

Vegemite- a spread used on bread that I am too scared to try. 

What else....?

Birds sound funny. There are some that sound like cats, others that sound like a whip and one that can sound like anything it wants to- Google "Lyre Bird." It's worth looking up.

Hairstyles are designed for the beach. Females put their hair up as high as possible on their heads and wrap it in a bun as to not block any part of their body from a nice sea breeze

Gecko's chirp. And can be found in the backyard...and in the  house.

Restaurants on the coast are all Al Fresco dining. Italian meaning "in the open air." I have yet to find indoor seating or a restaurant with air conditioning. 

Cane toads are hated by everyone. They often become practice balls for those working on their golf swing. It sounds inhumane, but not even tree huggers are phased by this. That is how much they are hated. 

What you hear about Australians is what you get.  I have been invited into homes, social groups and family events. They truly are some of the most welcoming people on Earth.

--------------------

I experience new things daily, but hate to bore you with it all, so please... tell me, What Else would you like to know? 

What Else

What else have I been up to?

Aside from spending all unplanned minutes at the beach, I have enjoyed a few planned minutes exploring Queensland...

| Brisbane |
Beth (The mother of the family I am staying with) and I took the train to Brisbane.

We went shopping downtown.

We walked around South Bank, home of Brisbane's man-made beach.

And took the City Cat (water taxi) down the Brisbane River.

| The Gold Coast Hinterlands |

New Years Day I snagged a ride home from Fingal Head with my new friend Luke. Luke, being the kind person he is, offered to take me on a bit of a detour before dropping me off.

Ok, it was a BIG detour...

I saw mountains: The McPherson Range

Heard waterfalls: Purling Brook Falls

And hiked through Springbrook National Park where I was introduced to the Gondwana rainforest. My first rainforest experience ever!
(more pictures to come soon)










| Surfers Paradise |
I had a free day and figured I should probably visit the most commercialized/ tourist filled/ hectic beach on the Gold Coast. I hopped on my bike and an hour later found myself:

Enjoying street acts attracting crowds in the city center






















Laughing at The Aquaduck- An on land and in water tourist trap. (Yes, I am a group-tour snob now that I have met friends willing to show me around with their own boats and cars)

And feeling glad that I came, I saw, I conquered the hustle and bustle known as Surfers Paradise.













The exploration continues. I couldn't get enough of the rainforest so I gave in and booked a guided tour for tomorrow. I hope to catch a glimpse of a wild koala or a wallaby and can't wait to tell you what else!

An AUSome Year

Not to be a pessimist, but New Years Eve can be such a let down. The anticipation and excitement that builds around the holiday as you make plans with friends and find the perfect dress can be so deceiving. And the expense of it all seems to create such high expectations. The night arrives, you feel pretty, you're with great friends, drink in hand all night...but you wake up the next morning and alas it just wasn't what you were hoping for. 

WELL I have found a remedy! Spend it with Australians! 

Believe it or not I celebrated NYE last year with a group of Aussies in Colorado, and let me tell you-- it was a FUN night and 2010 turned out to be GREAT year! It seemed only fitting that I would be able to end 2010 and ring in 2011 with another group of Aussies. And to top that- I was able to celebrate on Aussie turf! I wonder if that means 2011 will be even better? 

----------------------------

Thursday morning (Dec. 30th) I realized I hadn't figured out any plans for NYE yet. Yes, that is correct- I had one day to figure it out. In a new country, and confident I didn't want to bring in the new year alone, I started putting my feelers out. I had been invited to a house party and to an all you can drink party at a nightclub in Broadbeach. Neither option was very appealing. I had one more invitation that I was holding in my pocket. I was hesitant to accept for fear that I may be intruding on a group of close friends that don't get to see each other much. I didn't want to impose. BUT after a lot of contemplating...I did anyway. 

I am sooo glad I did! 

---------------------------

Friday morning (Dec. 31st) I put on my beach gear and packed a small bag of essentials- beach towel, toothbrush, change of clothes, and beer. Who needs a new dress when you can spend NYE at the BEACH... drinking BEER...around a BONFIRE!!

I met Jason (a guy I had met randomly at a pub in Surfers Paradise one afternoon) and a couple of his friends at the supermarket where we gathered the necessities for an Aussie cookout- bread, sausage (hot dog sized brats) and tomato sauce (ketchup). 

We arrived at Fingal Head and I received a tour of the area. No high-rises, no nightclubs, no high heels...just campers, jangles (flip flops) and the Fingal Head Surf Club- my home for the night.  (I'll explain surf clubs in another post) 

It was perfect. 

(I live where it says Robina and Fingal Head is where the red marker is-  about 45 mins apart) 

The area was filled with people that made Fingal Head their NYE headquarters year after year. All generations were present and everyone around was considered a friend. Kids of all ages ran freely from the campsites to the beach, while the adults sat around eating chip sandwiches and reminisced about years past. 

Chip Sandwich = French Fries on Bread

After enjoying my very first chip sandwich we headed to the water where I learned to throw a rugby ball and finally figured out how to body surf! 

I laughed watching old friends act like they were 13 again.

Enjoyed conversations about US sports vs. AUS sports with new friends.

Reveled in the feeling of being a local at Fingal Head as we drove on the beach and gathered wood from any dead tree along the way. 

Gawked at the stars while learning that Australia sees America's summer stars this time of year, and that they call the Little Dipper the Little Saucer.  

Squirmed seeing small crabs scurry as we lit the bonfire. 

Took pleasure in seeing fireworks over the ocean at midnight twice because we were on the border of two time zones.

Listened in awe to the never ending ocean waves approach the shore.

And smiled knowing this was EXACTLY how I wanted to spend my New Years Eve.

(I promise my eyes are not a reflection of how much I had to drink) 

 Cheers to everyone back home! Here's to an AUSome year ahead!