The End...

My trip is just about finished… it’s hard to believe 4 months have passed this quickly. I’ve really had the time of my life. I’ve learned so much and have made more memories and new friendships than I could have imagined.

Over the last few months, I’ve been working, partying, exploring, camping, shopping, hiking, swimming, surfing, photographing, biking, sailing, gambling, kayaking, cooking, reading, lawn bowling, dancing, relaxing, diving, snorkeling, four-wheeling… I’ve been to beaches, cities, deserts, parks, lakes, mountains, forests, sand dunes, opal mines, underground towns, museums, amusement parks, movies, wineries, sports stadiums, aboriginal sites, concerts, zoos and wildlife parks.

I’ve done things I’ve always wanted to, like seeing the true outback of Australia and scuba diving. And I’ve done things I never thought I would, like eating kangaroo meat and holding a snake.

I’ve met people from all over the world, and by the time I land in Pittsburgh on Wednesday evening, I will have traveled over 27,000 miles. I’ve loved every inch.

The only question now… is where to next??

Sydney Adventures

I spent my last few days in Sydney this week... and I had to squeeze in a trip to the Blue Mountains. A few of us rented a car and drove out to the rural area about 2 hours east of Sydney. The Blue Mountains are famous for a rock formation called the Three Sisters and they're called the Blue Mountains because the eucalyptus trees give off a blue mist when it's rainy or wet. They really are beautiful... the photos aren't quite as impressive though... sorry about that.

We took a walk through some of the trails around the mountain and got to cross a short bridge that takes you to the first sister.

We paid a little extra to go on the SkyWay... a glass bottomed cable car that takes you across a canyon to the other side. You get to see the Katoomba Falls too, which was a little smaller than expected, but still a nice view.

The last thing I had to do in Sydney was visit Moore Park. I didn't get a chance to visit the Kimberleys, a mountain range in northwestern Australia. But I am taking the fact that there is a Moore Park and a place called Kimberley here as a sign that Australia really does love me and wants me to stay forever... it's just playing hard to get.

Surf's Up

I couldn't possibly leave Australia without surfing... so I booked some surf lessons yesterday. It started off at 9am, driving an hour south to Boat Harbor. The instructor that picked me up was the epitome of surfer... blue eyes, shaggy blonde hair, no shoes, and a well-earned tan. He said he teaches surfing for about 9 months out of the year in Sydney, then goes off to Indonesia and surfs there for the other 3 months. Not a bad life...

I can't say I'm a pro... but I did technically stand on the board for about 20 seconds, so I'm pretty proud. Surfing is a lot harder than it looks. The worst part is getting past the waves with this massive board, and balancing on it long enough to catch the wave in. I didn't quite master an exit technique either, so I just biffed it and landed on my face most of the time. This picture pretty much explains it... but at least I got the instructor clapping for me.

I have a few bruises and my muscles are sore today, but I had the best time. If only they could come up with a more flattering design for a wetsuit...

Hostel Life

After living on my own for the last 3 years... I really thought living in a hostel with so many other people would be tough getting used to. I have to admit, it's been the best part of my travels. Sure... sharing a dorm room with up to 10 other people can test your patience at times, but it's been the best way to meet people. As soon as you walk in the room and plunk down your bags, you've got friends in that city.

The hostel I'm in now has a great rooftop view... and we're always up there hanging out, making plans, drinking cheap boxed wine by the gallon, and swapping stories. I have one week left here and it will be hard saying goodbye to these friends. This is Hanna, Dominika, Martin, Johaness, and Bernd.

Summer Fun

I am lucky enough to still be in summer over here...so I've made sure to visit the beaches while I still can. I am actually tan... which is a first. (well, technically a second... because I did get pretty tan last time I was here) but it's still not something I'm used to. I don't recognize myself sometimes...but it's great.

I went with some friends up to Palm Beach and to DeeWhy Beach, about an hour north of the city. Well worth the drive because the beach was beautiful and the sand was amazing. It was really clean, almost shimmering in the sun. It's also the location of an Aussie soap opera called Home & Away. The British guys I was with recognized the signs and a cafe they use for filming but since we don't get the show in the US, it wasn't quite as exciting for me.

I spent another day at Bondi Beach, which is probably Sydney's most famous beach. It's the closest to the city and always busy with surfers and swimmers. It's got a great nightlife too, and a lot of backpackers call Bondi home while in Sydney.

I've got less than two weeks left here in paradise... I spend about one more week in Sydney, then back to Melbourne for a goodbye party with some friends there. December 3, I board a long plane ride back to the 'burgh.

Some updates

I finally had a chance to take tour of the Opera House. It was nice to be inside and see the stages after always seeing photos of the outside. The Opera House was built in the 1960s, and the design was chosen from a competition where artists submitted drawings for a new theater/opera hall. It was expected to take 4 years and cost $7 million. The design turned out to be much harder than the technology at the time could handle, so it was nearly abandoned. People pushed for it to be finished though, and it was completed 16 years later costing $102 million. If you ask me, it is well worth it. I love this building... it screams Sydney. I wasn't allowed to photograph inside, so this one of the stage is from the internet. There was a ballet rehearsal going on during our tour, so we got to sit and watch a few minutes of the dancers on stage.

It's really just been a great few weeks in Sydney. Traveling down the coast, I've run into so many people I've met earlier. Most backpackers make the same stops coming down to Sydney, so we see each other again and again. I met up with alot of them and had some great nights out. It was one friend's birthday, so we went out for lawn bowling... similar to bocce ball, and a very fun way to spend an afternoon. We played a few rounds with a few drinks and headed out on the town afterwards.

Sorry!

Sorry for the lack of posts... some of the internet cafes here don't let me upload photos so it's been difficult to get anything online. But, rest assured... I am having a fabulous time. A few more beaches, some city sights, some fun bars and nights out on the hostel rooftop garden with beautiful city skylines, meeting up with new backpacker friends from other parts of my trip. I suggest you book your trip to the best city in the world soon.

I'll post some pictures and better stories when I can. I have to get back to the 78 degree sunshine ;)