After four months of living in Australia, I finally made it to Sydney! And following suit of my traveling theme I went to visit some friends:)
I met Justine in Ghana during my internship with Global Mamas. Being a local Sydneier she showed Jensen and I a really good time.
Jensen and I met officially working at Urban together, but she's a Hoosier! She's studying in Melbourne on exchange and also loving the Aussie life!
After an early morning and a few bus rides I arrived in Sydney! Jensen and I were both starving from our journies so we grabbed a yummy burger before we set off on exploring the city. We had a bit of a common trend of getting lost from the start of our day and missed a free walking tour I had heard about. But we weren't bothered and we explored on our own. We made it to a very fancy old shopping center the Queen Victoria Building and a lovely park in the middle of the city, the Chinese Friendship Garden. After a quick outfit change we headed to meet Justine at the very cool Opera Bar. The bar is located right on the water front next to the Opera House. Jensen and I were both treated to an amazing view of the Opera House lit up and a few yummy glasses of wine. Next we headed to the Rocks, the oldest area of Sydney for a pub experience. We had lots of fun dancing to the cover band, even if we were about 20 years younger than everyone there! And to end the first night we got a bit lost after saying a sad goodbye to Justine. Buuuuut we accidentally found this alley way of bird cages I wanted to see (from Pinterest) and grabbed some yummy slices of pizza.
After a good giggle discussing the night before Jensen and I headed back out in the city for more tourist adventures! Reader, be proud of us! We walked literally all the way around central Sydney on Saturday. Through the botanical gardens, up to Mrs. Macquaire's chair look out point, around the harbor to the Opera House, around more of the harbor to the Rocks markets, up to the Harbor Bridge, down into the CBD, then across back to the hostel! Let's just say by 4pm we were exhausted, but we had a concert ahead of us! Quick lay down and wine run and we were at this cute little Thai restaurant, called Spice I am (oh and we walked). With fully bellies and empty bottles we were off to Alt-j!!!! Amazing concert! The openers were also pretty good, but Alt-j was better than expected live! We left with smiles on our faces, and got lost on the way back to the hostel. We literally walked in circles, but we're in bed by midnight.
Last day in the city was meant to be our big beach day. We did make it to Manly. We caught a ferry, which provided great views of the city and arrived in this cute little beach town. Had an amazing brunch, and I splurged on a Bikini! Then we ferried back and had to say goodbye, but I'll see you soon in Indiana! Then I hopped back on a ferry to check out Luna Park. I just did a little walk around, but it was a pretty cool place. A lot smaller than expected, with maybe 10 rides. I had intended to go to Bondi Beach, but felt short on time so I headed to China Town to checkout the indoor Paddy's Markets. What I saw was like a cleaner version of the souks in Morocco. Looked like you could buy a variety of things all for super cheap. Then it was back to the hostel before catching my bus back to Yass.
We really lucked out with nice weather, after all the rain Sydney had been getting. I'm also pretty proud of the amount of things we managed to see in 3 days! Really loved Sydney, but Melbourne still holds my #1 Aussie city's spot.
Until next time!
Sunday, May 10, 2015
Sunday, May 3, 2015
Workin for the Weekends
How is it already May?!?!? Time seems to be flying by!
I have an adult friend again!!!! Pretty major news from my front! It's been pretty tricky for me to meet people, and was so lucky to have met Tanja, whom is now back in Germany. But last week at playgroup (I'm such a mom!) I met a lovey au pair, Heather, who lives about 20 minutes south of Yass. Which is awesome because everyone else lives about an hour away.
Last weekend was Anzac Day, which commimerates Australian soldiers landing in the Golipoli Island during WWI. But now it's kind of like the 4th of the July in the States and everyone drinks. It's also the only day of the year that you can play this gambling game called Two Up. Three coins are tossed in the air and you can bet heads or tails. Then the winner takes all. Unfortunately Aussie luck wasn't on my side and I lost. But it was a really fun atmosphere! Lots of yelling and clapping. I also had my first Aussie beer at this event, tasted like PBR. Later that night I went out with a troupe of au pairs, like a good 30 of us. We went to a few different bars and I didn't get back to the hostel till 4am! Haven't stayed up that late in so long, (I'm such a mom!). But my highlight of the evening was going to McDonalds aka maccas, at about 3. The place was trashed! There was even a guy passed out! Probably won't have another weekend like that during my stay here, so I'm glad I did it!
Last night Heather invited me to her host families home for dinner and beer pong. Her host parents own a winery and live on the most beautiful property and their house was out of home magazine! Huge windows facing the vinard and open floor plan. I didn't want to be a creepy guest so I don't have any photos. But playing beer pong was lots of fun, made me feel like I was back home. In proof of last night's fun I wasn't feeling 100% today. My day has been spent in rotation of sitting on the back porch and taking naps!
Changing subject, the landscape here in Yass has really stolen my heart. It's fun to watch the hills in the distance change color throughout the day and each sunset is so beautiful! The lighting here just seems magical, like when the sun comes out after it rains. Hard to describe. But now that I have a set date home, I need to cherish the little special things that Yass has to offer.
Next Friday I'm off to Sydney for a Bloomington reunion and a full out tourist trip! And tomorrow Heather and I are doing a Zumba! class. Should be a good laugh and workout.
I have an adult friend again!!!! Pretty major news from my front! It's been pretty tricky for me to meet people, and was so lucky to have met Tanja, whom is now back in Germany. But last week at playgroup (I'm such a mom!) I met a lovey au pair, Heather, who lives about 20 minutes south of Yass. Which is awesome because everyone else lives about an hour away.
Last weekend was Anzac Day, which commimerates Australian soldiers landing in the Golipoli Island during WWI. But now it's kind of like the 4th of the July in the States and everyone drinks. It's also the only day of the year that you can play this gambling game called Two Up. Three coins are tossed in the air and you can bet heads or tails. Then the winner takes all. Unfortunately Aussie luck wasn't on my side and I lost. But it was a really fun atmosphere! Lots of yelling and clapping. I also had my first Aussie beer at this event, tasted like PBR. Later that night I went out with a troupe of au pairs, like a good 30 of us. We went to a few different bars and I didn't get back to the hostel till 4am! Haven't stayed up that late in so long, (I'm such a mom!). But my highlight of the evening was going to McDonalds aka maccas, at about 3. The place was trashed! There was even a guy passed out! Probably won't have another weekend like that during my stay here, so I'm glad I did it!
Last night Heather invited me to her host families home for dinner and beer pong. Her host parents own a winery and live on the most beautiful property and their house was out of home magazine! Huge windows facing the vinard and open floor plan. I didn't want to be a creepy guest so I don't have any photos. But playing beer pong was lots of fun, made me feel like I was back home. In proof of last night's fun I wasn't feeling 100% today. My day has been spent in rotation of sitting on the back porch and taking naps!
Changing subject, the landscape here in Yass has really stolen my heart. It's fun to watch the hills in the distance change color throughout the day and each sunset is so beautiful! The lighting here just seems magical, like when the sun comes out after it rains. Hard to describe. But now that I have a set date home, I need to cherish the little special things that Yass has to offer.
Next Friday I'm off to Sydney for a Bloomington reunion and a full out tourist trip! And tomorrow Heather and I are doing a Zumba! class. Should be a good laugh and workout.
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