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@stephdoessydney-blog
Update: I have finally met a kangaroo. As you can tell from the photo, he wasn't nearly as excited to meet me as I was to meet him. In fact, he completely ignored me. Evidently, carrots are enthralling. But I still got to pet him!
And, the video from jump number two!
Per request, the video footage from bungee jump number one  =)
Finally made myself a happy little wall collage  =)
And So Begin the Cider Reviews
At World Bar in Queenstown, NZ I ordered two different ciders they had on tap. Isaac's ‘Mac’ was a very sweet, not too carbonated treat. Went down really smooth. I wasn’t as big a fan of Issac's ‘Pear,’ which a friend had ordered in a bottle. This kind was thinner than the ‘Mac’, not as strong of a taste, but I’m just not a huge fan of the pear ciders in general, anyway. The other brew I tried was Speight's Cider, a local brew which was more crisp and not as sweet. Overall it was sharper and more fizzy. A tad more refreshing but the gassiness of the strong carbonation cancels it out. Overall, Speight's was more ‘cidery’ but not as good as Isaac's.
E is for Excitam!
Definition: excited in relation to Tim Tams (the best packaged cookies in Australia). Word created by Kathrine.
CAIRNS DAY THREE
Bungee & Burgers.
Before my flight back to Sydney on Sunday two friends and I got up super early to go to AJ Hackett's bungee jumping platform- the second bungee base ever made. After a stressfully long check-in and a collision with someone's scalding hot teacup, I ascended the 196 metal stairs to the top of the platform. The nausea and slight hyperventilation I dealt with on the way up faded into the background once I took in the incredible view over the valley. We were only 164 ft up from the ground but we were looking out from about 1,500 ft above ground level. Once we got set up, I was the first person of the day to jump.Â
The experience is difficult to put into words... exhilarating, terrifying, invigorating, empowering. It was almost more frightening than jumping out of a plane, but the reward was more short-lived... Surprisingly, the moment of zero-gravity at the height of the bounce following the initial drop was almost as unnerving as the initial plunge.
When we signed up, we got a special two-for-one deal. As soon as my companions had taken their first jumps, we all climbed the stairs one more time. They both went before me, doing more inventive back dives. I was determined to make up for the bent-legged non-dive I'd done on the first jump, so I did the standard front dive again. As my family would have expected, I did not improve much. Despite this failure, I was thrilled to have the chance to jump again! I only wish that bungee jumping and everything like it weren't so cost-prohibitive. If it were free, I would go back again and again  =)
My new favorite things: The best days start off with a soy cappuccino and end with a hard apple cider. Perfection.
Cairns Day Two
Great Barrier Reef. Nuff Said.
After an early-ish night out, we got up to make down to the water in time for our boat’s departure. Before we left, I grabbed a perfectly flaky croissant from a café owned by an old French couple and the a soy cappuccino made with Australian espresso beans- the best I’ve ever had (Soy cappuccinos are my new thing by the way). We got to the dock in plenty of time and enjoyed our free coffee and biscuits on the trip out. Stopping first at Green Island, a gorgeous oasis about 1 hour out from Cairns, we unloaded about half of our passengers and took on just as many new. Multiple passenger counts later, we set off for the Reef- another 45 minutes out. After befriending a very informative and helpful crewman named Garry, we arrived at the Pontoon. This would be our diving platform, buffet station and dock for the next three hours.
Once we got our gear set up and started down the stairs to the launch area, I started getting a little anxious. Slipping into the fins and struggling with my mask, I was mostly blind from the nasty combination of cleaning solution and salt water as I watched my friends start swimming away from me. Launching myself into the water, I flailed after them and dealt with the newfound senses of aquaphobia and acrophobia- i.e. fear of drowning and fear of heights. These definitely contributed to my mild panic and moderate hyperventilation. After getting about 50 meters out from the platform, I figured out the breathing rhythm and stopped feeling like I was about to drown. Then, it got really fun.
We swam around for probably an hour, taking awkward underwater photos of each other and marveling at the fact that these tropical reef fish actually exist in real life- not just in documentaries and textbooks. Since they restrict the dive groups to a small area of the reef, the coral wasn't in the best shape, but there were bursts of bright blue to liven it up every so often. The fish were incredibly varied, so colorful and vibrant. Each one was different but we started noticing the different species and where they liked to hang out. We even saw some Nemos in their anemones! And while some of us were off futilely pursuing a huge sea turtle, a few of our friends saw a shark in the other area of the reef. A disappointment to miss, for sure, however, over towards the boat I was able to pet a very friendly fish the size of a labrador. Definitely more in my comfort zone than a shark.
Attempting to avoid contributing to one of the major pollutants Garry had identified for me- urine- I swam back in for a bathroom break and lunch. We all went back for seconds, loading up on the potatoes and chicken, which is most definitely the best strategy when swimming, especially whilst wearing a bikini. Afterwards, we went down in their semi-submersible, which was boring and nausea-inducing and not nearly as cool as snorkeling. Once that was over we practically ran back to the water.
I swam around for another 20 minutes or so, frantically trying to fit more in to the time remaining. No more fear, I was diving under the surface as much as I could, getting up close and personal to the big fish of all colors, barely resisting the temptation to touch the coral. Before I knew it, I heard the horn signaling us to come in. Surfacing, I realized that only one other person was still in the water- I must have missed some other signal... Defiant, I quickly swam back under and snapped a selfie with my one remaining photo, trying to get something worth seeing in the background. I can't put the photos up yet so you'll have to take my word for it- but it turned out to be the best photo in the bunch  =)
D is for Darling Harbour.
Cairns Day One
Off-Roading it in Cairns: Waterfalls, Rainforests, Mountains and a Baby Cow.
The day began with a bleary eyed wake up to the alarm at 4:00 am. Despite exhausted incoherence, we made it to the airport in record time and made it to our 6:00 am flight with no problem. Though they stopped my traveling companion for a random explosives powder test, they didn't bat an eye at my full camel back or ask us to remove our sneakers.Â
Neither did they ask to see our passports- not even once. First determination of the day: airport security in Australia is so much less stressful!
Once we got to the hostel, my friend Dorian and I dealt with some stress checking in, but shortly after met up with two of my friends, Catherine and Kathrine. We got ourselves some lunch at Rusty’s, a large outdoor produce market, and hopped in the rental. Driving a few hours outside the city, we began visiting waterfalls. First up was Josephine. A few minutes walk through the jungle and the path opened up to an incredible cascade of falls, with a huge, powerful pool at the base. Swimming across, we were able to sunbathe on the slope and slide down the rocks with the flowing water. We eventually forced ourselves to leave and it was on to the next fall!
I got to try out driving on the left side of the road for the first time and it went well! Now I should be better prepared for road-tripping through New Zealand. Throughout the rest of the day, we visited six different waterfalls, taking in the sights at all of them. The other fall that sticks out most in my mind is Milla Milla. We swam through the pool at the base of this massive fall, thundering down into the water.Â
The experience of trying to get close to the cascade of water literally took my breath away. It was so powerful, creating such a strong wind, that it was a struggle to get too close.Â
At some point in our journey, we stopped at an organic dairy farm-Â Mungalli Creek Dairy Farm.Â
Surrounded by the most incredible countryside I’ve seen- we called it ‘paradise’- we ate delicious, rich gelato and some fluffy lemon cheesecake. Screw the dairy intolerance, I would have sampled everything on their menu if I had the chance!
So eventually, we decided we had to get back to the city. We’d already paid for our hostel, anyway. We began driving back, as the sun started to set. Filled with newfound determination, we decided to find some vantage point from which to watch the sun set. Eventually pulling over on the side of the highway, we set our sights on the top of a ‘small’ grassy ‘hill’ off in a field. In order to get to the base, we army crawled under a barbed wire fence and then forded our way up the hill, wading through grass and weeds as high as my waist. The hike was almost too much, after an entire day of running around but we finally made it to the top, just in time to miss the sunset! Oh well, it was still an incredible view  =)
We finished the drive back to Cairns, showered and got ready to go right out. When you’re fitting a whole city into one weekend, there’s not enough time to move slowly!! On to the next adventure...
C is for Chinatown
Our Sydney Harbour Cruise was about a week ago. Despite not having the sit down dinner we expected, it was a really great trip- amazing views and the most incredible skyline. Here are some highlights...
Jet-Setting!
So this was a wonderful few days for internet transactions... In the past week or so I've booked two round trip flights, a hostel and a snorkeling trip. And there are many more reservations to follow! Â
This Friday morning I'll be rising at the lovely hour of 4:00am and getting myself on a 6:00am flight to Cairns to meet 9 of my friends. We'll be staying at one of the most well- known hostels in the city, right on the beach, and spending Saturday snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef! Â
After a few days of classes, during which I have a paper and a presentation due, among many readings (oh, right, I'm here for classes, not vacation...) I'll be heading to Sydney airport once again!
Our winter break runs from April 6th until the 15th. During this time, 8 friends and I will be driving in a van around New Zealand. Concentrating mostly on the South Island, so far we know we'll be flying in and out of Christchurch. Other than that, we plan on visiting the glow worm caves, going sky diving somewhere (for my second time), and doing a Lord of the Rings centered horseback riding tour- in addition to days worth of driving. The childhood nerd in me is ecstatic! The driver in me is not so ecstatic though, as I'll have to get comfortable being one of the people driving on the other side of the road. Oh well, every day is a chance to learn something new  =)  Will probably be taking more photos in the next 2 weeks than I have during the entire trip so far. Updates to follow!
This Post was Inspired by Yohgurt
One of the little differences I've noticed here in Sydney is the availability of alternative dietary products. By this I mean non-dairy, non-wheat food products, which I make every effort to buy when grocery shopping. Not that they're everywhere- that would be too good to be true. But soy products, especially, are particularly easy to find. Just now I opened up a container of vanilla soy yogurt that I've seen around and wow. As soon as I tasted it I realized how long it's been since I've been able to eat this- one of the things I used to love! (My last experience with non-dairy yogurt in the States was harrowing- slimy mold patch involved- not fun to think of.) Besides this wonderful yogurt story I'm still reveling in as I sit here typing and eating my yohgurt/muesli parfait, the gluten/dairy/egg free bread they have here is wonderful as well. It tastes like real bread. As in, it tastes good in a sandwhich or as toast or with peanut butter... and it doesn't feel like it just sits in my stomach, the way some rice bread back home did. And to put the soy icing on the cake, (not literally, unfortunately- haven't found soy icing yet) just last week on my way to the train station I walked by a stand that was giving out soy samples. So I happily took my tiny cup of soy milk and granola cereal with me onto the train. Wonderful, free breakfast =) Although it's always difficult to eat out and keep to the 'diet', I have noticed some menus that have more options for us with sensitive tummies. Just last week I went out to a burger place and was treated to a greek lamb burger on a gluten free bun. And it was great! Nothing like the hard, dense rolls I can buy in the States. So I'm trying to keep to my diet. I succumbed and got gelato last night (two scoops, oh god, so good) which was just heavenly. But besides that (and a whole lot of wheat... trying to be honest here) I really have been trying! When I'm home I eat nothing that I'm not supposed to. Except Tim Tams, ocassionaly. But that's basically impossible to resist. So overall, alternative soy products here rock. I just finished an amazingly simple parfait. And I realize more every day how simple life was back when I took pizza and grilled cheeses and ice cream and noodles and rye bread and steak and subs and...everything, for granted.
So here's my Uni timetable. Awesome schedule. Internship is 9-4 on Thursday and 10-2 on Friday. Only problem is all those tutorials on Wednesday. That's when all of my assignments are due every week! So as of now, Tuesday nights will not be fun. Hoping to change this and spread them out a bit. Experiential Internship, History of God, Australia and the World, Global Political Economy. Sounds good to me  =)
Quick Summary!
The last few days have been pretty packed. I got a great schedule set up, finalized my classes, aced an interview and scored an awesome internship, got taken out to lunch for free, got a job at a restaurant immediately upon walking in, and had an awesome time out last night. So far, so good  =)
Sorry for not checking in for so long- I've still been taking tons of pictures so those will follow soon! I've been picking up a bunch more of the Australian slang and am so excited to celebrate St. Patty's Day here!! I've got my green on, sparkly eyeliner and shamrock included, and am about to go to Scruffy Murphy's for some hearty Irish fare. Can't wait!
No matter what, anything is better than the sadly hilarious scene of all 15 of us miserably walking the 40 minutes home from King's Cross last night. I don't think we'll be deciding to leave a club at 3:00am (when the cabbies are all switching shifts) ever again- at least not when it's torrential raining. Oh well, you learn something new every day!
Cheers  =)