The Quickest Update Ever

Music: We seem to be listening to a lot of Sublime and Hoy Chip.  ‘Laiiiid baaack.’

So, last you heard, i was walking around Melbourne, soaking in Australia.

Things have changed!  I caught a flight to Bangkok to meet Ashleigh and Stewart and Kyle and start a bit more backpacking before heading home. 

We’ve done:

Southern Thailand.  Highlight: Railey, where we met awesome people and swam five days in a row.   (Also, seeing Katrina and Jason in Bangkok again was amazing.)

Malaysia. Highlight: Deciding to leave early and go to Indonesia instead.  I do really like Malacca, which is where I am at the moment.

Tomorrow, we catch a boat to Indonesia to surf our brains out.   We’ve also adopted two English girls who were travelling solo, and now much prefer to be with some awesome Canadians.   We had kidnapped some Californians for a few days, untill they realized they were on their anniversary and ought to get back to that.  We did lose Kyle though, to a meditation retreat, where he cant talk for ten days.  I would fail after five hours, I think.

I can’t seem to find the time to blog properly… so this is all you get!  Just know i’m having fun, and i’ll see Canada in 20 days!!

I’m a Seahorse! A Horse that is a Sea! Sea to the Horse!

Music: Little Shadow (Acoustic) – Yeah yeah yeahs

I sadly leave the blue mountains.  I’m terribly excited for Melbourne, though.  There is nothing that can compare to going to a new city, getting on a plane and changing scenery.  I’ve finally even gotten used to taking planes.  Total piece of cake.

I’m excited for Melbourne for a few reasons:
1. EVERYBODY who has either lived in or travelled Australia talks about how amazing Melbourne is; and those who
know me, tell me how much I’ll love Melbs.  Something about the cafe and arts culture….??
2. New Couch Surfing Hosts who like nicknaming people after animals and who enjoy fun facts and people.
3. Road trip with Ben (my new Bff, in case you didn’t know…more about ben in a future post)
4. Coffee
5. Art

Great first signs.

I meet a Kiwi on the bus.
He takes me towards the direction I need to go.
I get lost.
I get new directions.
I get on a tram
I avoid paying because i’m a foreigner.
I meet Panda, one of my three hosts.
I meet Walrus, a Floridian (??) also couch surfing.  I then meet Turtle and Giraffe, two English also couch surfing.
In walks Seal.  These hosts really like hosting.  Good.
I am Sea Horse.  Is it clear why?  Wolf Cub, who has never even met me, except through what he can imagine from
texts and emails has pinned me Sea to the Horse.
There are remains all over the house of other surfers: funny hats, stolen signs advertising sausage rolls and soft drinks, remains of previously nicknamed surfers by their animals frozen in plastic positions, random signs with unintentionally provacotive messages, christmas lights and items to place on mantels.   I got the warmest sleeping bag on an 80’s vynil couch in the dining room.

Sunday morning: MELBOURNE!!!!

Breath in the sights (it’s cold!), walk along the Yarra river waterfront, gaze at the unique architecture and monster size bees on buildings. Visit art museums with exhibitions on Dali, Len Lye, Pompeii, and Space.  Eat street sushi and walk down the upbeat and funky Brunswick st, Chapel St, Toorak St and really, every other street in Melbourne.

Sunday, Monday and Tuesday were three days, spent on foot, discovering the hidden alleys of Melbourne and trying a new little cafe’s coffee every day while staring at the colourful grafitti; I walked through numerous parks, I looked at new architecture and old architecture and took photos of both.  I ate at small little vegetarian Hare Krishna places, I stared out at the ocean from the boardwalk.  I met awesome and motivational new people and chatted with them over cups of tea on comfy couches and schooners of beer in bars with great atmospheres.

My besty from Brisbane, Ed, came to see me for my last weekend in Melbourne.  He is more into ballin’ it in hotel rooms, so I got the glories of sleeping on a King size bed and heating.  I had a good time showing him what i knew of Melbourne and catching up and sadly saying a second goodbye.  Bye lil’ Ed.

The minute Ed left, I had a phone call from another Brissy mate, Matt.  He was down in the south visiting family and invited me over for a big family dinner.  His Uncle had lived in Canada and was happy to treat a Canadian to dinner.  (I LOVE PEOPLE!!!!)

I met Matts family and died of happiness!  They reminded me of how, even though within a family we can all be
so different, at the end of the day, you’re a family and that’s all that matters.  They were loud and happy and I had plenty of people to talk to and meet.  Matt even had some cute older cousins haha.  Matts uncle made me poached eggs on toast in the morning… how could a day start any better??

I <3 Melbourne.

One Tequila, Two Tequila, Three Tequila… Seven Hour Hike in the Australian Bush!

music: Swagga like us- ft. Kanye West, Jay Z, lil wayne) T.I

I’d gotten what i could out of Canberra (read: drank all the wine the city could offer), so I decided to catch a ride with
Vanessa to Sydney as it was a free lift out of Canberra.  Since I’d been to Sydney a few times already and wasn’t too interested in throwing my money at their clubs and shops, I decided to spend a few days in the yet unvisited by me
Blue Mountains.  I made this decision last minute, so the night before we left (Wednesday) I quickly booked a flight on the Saturday night from Sydney to Melbourne and emailed a fellow couch surfer to see if his couch was free to be surfed upon.

It was; he called me Thursday afternoon to say that he could indeed host me and show me the best spots to hike around  the Blue Mountains.

(Couch Surfing?   To answer your questions, it’s a facebook-like website, where travellers around the world offer places for people to crash a few nights, to meet up for a drink, or a bite to eat.  It’s a good way to get to see a different side to the place you are visiting and meet locals, rather than backpackers.  Backpackers are cool, but they know just as much as you do about the local area.  Furthermore, with couch surfing, you are less likely to fall into the expensive tourist traps…)

(Blue Mountains?  This is a national park a few hours out of Sydney, with some of the most beautiful mountains filled with great hikes, great sights and a chance to be out in nature).

(Why was Vanessa going to Sydney?  You might not care… but the answer is funny!  To see a live performance with her mother of… wait for it…wait for it… DR. PHIL!!!  Heeheehee.)

I talked to Brett (my host) and he owns a few shops, one of them being in Katoomba, the town I was staying in.  When
I got to Katoomba, after a beautiful train ride, that slowly went up too 3000 feet above sea level (Australia gets cold up here!!!!) with a beautiful view of the red cliffs that are the blue mountains (they’re blue from far away… true story), I dropped my stuff off at his shop and headed out right away to get the most out of the day.

There was a short (but beautiful) hike where I got to see the epic Three Sisters, and a look into the valley, where about two weeks ago, a British boy was found after 12 days of being lost in the forest.  Note to self: don’t wander off the track and bring cell phone.  The bushes were dence and huge… not the type of place you wanna play hide and go seek with yourself.

I met Brett later that night, after he was finished work.  He picked me up and we headed to his beautiful place on top of hill.  We got to know each other over a few drinks (go figure) and then, him and his mates took me to a Korean
place for dinner where we shared a couple bottle of wines over some kimchee.  AFterwards we headed to a local pub for some (…many) drinks.

I woke up the next morning, after a night of numerous bottles of wine and numerous shots of tequila.  I was super keen to go on my previously planned 7 hour hike, through the National park.  I wanted to hit up the sights and struggles of the Wentworth trail and the National Pass.  I’m pretty sure Brett was amazed at my stamina… he kept reassuring that I was ok.  Pfftt… wine and tequila?  Nothing Lindzy can’t handle (I will need a double espresso of course).

I spent the day hiking and loving it.  Guys, It was absolutely beautiful.  The pictures don’t do it justice (unless I had a camera like Ben Vellas… Ben!!!!  I’m not right next to you!!!)

Before I had even reached the Wentworth trail, I was already pretty tired from the National Pass hike, and going around in circles for a good hour, untill a friendly jogger pointed me in the right direction for the Wentworth trail.

“Experienced walkers only.”  The sign read… Now, what is that supposed to mean?  I’ve been walking for about 24 years now… does that count?  Sounds like a dare to me!  (always keeping the britsh backpacker in mind…)

I set out on a steep walk down through gorgeous waterfalls and rocks and rivers, which brought me to a thick, but
still decently marked trail.  The deeper I went in, the more the idea of snakes (and how Australia has all of deadliest, RIGHT HERE!!) kept crossing my mind.  Somehow that 4 hour bit took me 2 hours… fear makes you faster i guess!

That was untill I got to the “Slack Stairs”.  Just cause something says ’slack’ doesn’t mean it’s easy.  I have never climbed so many stairs in my life. I had to stop a couple of times for a little tea break.  Again, the sights were beautiful, but if i ever see 2000 stairs in a row again… *shake fist*.

The day was  a success (note: when rereading this post to edit and I saw this statement, I laughed to myself and
thought: “Pffft, my LIFE is a success.”  True story.)  ESPECIALLY when my host brought home his hilarious roomate
and friend, and a huge order of curry takeout that they insisted I eat some of.

I finished the night off with some hilarious Australian television programming: Summer Heights High.  A  mockumentary and possibly the funniest show i’ve ever seen. Next stop: Melbourne!!!

(Note: I did talk to Brett after my 7 hour hike, and apparently he couldn’t keep up with this (moi) master drinker.
AFter one hour of having his shop open, he had to put a “Be Back at 11:30″ sign on his door, so that he could
take a nap in the back and sleep off the tequila… weeeaaaak).

You and Ottawa Both, Canberra…

Music: I got a feelin’- Black Eyed Peas.

Next stop on the list: Canberra.  Now normally people backpacking through Australia skip Canberra… it’s kind of this random city in a valley sandwhiched between Melbourne and Sydney.

It’s also the nations capitol.

I know, i know, you’re surprised.  So are Australians when i tell them that Canada’s capitol is not Toronto… or Vancouver… or Montreal… or Seattle…(It’s Ottawa in case you forgot…)

To be fair, I assumed Sydney was Australias capital.  Why in heavens would it be Canberra?  I’ll tell you why.  Back in the day, Melbourne and Sydney were fighting over who was better than the other, and who deserved to be the Capitol (soooo Australian…), so they decided just to find a place in between the two to settle the argument.  Seriously.

So here I am.  Even after every Australian outside of Canberra told me I was crazy to go, that it was cold, boring and an embarrassement to Australia.

Well, it’s not that bad.  It’s actually really nice and beautiful.  Plus, my friend Vanessa (who came to Guelph on exchange in first year) lives here.  Nothing better than a classic Guelph reunion!

After the 30 degree weather of the Daintree rainforest, I was a little shocked to walk around 10 degree weather.  It was nice though, crisp, clean, refreshing, and the trees were actually losing their leaves… something I haven’t seen in more than a year.

Much to everyones surprise, I have had a blast in Canberra.  Vanessa and I have had a great time catching up, sightseeing (there is so much to see in the city: museums, wineries, Parliament…), drinking heaps of delicious wine (Canberra is known for its Shiraz), footy games and meeting V’s friends.  Also, a friend from Japan lives here, Seiji, and even though he had swine flu the whole time, I did finally get to meet up for lunch and meet his super cute and sweet girlfriend Steph.

Canberra=Success

Still a happy traveller.

It’s Not an Island (but it sure feels like one)

So, remember the movie FernGully: The Last Rainforest?  Cute animated movie from the early 90’s?

Yah, that’s pretty much where I was for a month.

Yes, I saw magical fairies.

Nat and I (for old times sake… and it being cheaper) took a two day train from Brisbane to Cairns early one morning.  It was a loooong train ride.  I was excited at first… a chance to see beautiful Aussie scenery and make brief stops in tiny towns on the way up, just to be able to say i’d been.  (Step out of the train, “Wooo!!  I’ve been to Bundaberg!”  Three hours later…. “Woo!!  I’ve been to Tully!!… anywho, you get the point.)

For two days, heading north, the scenery doesn’t change much.  Just in case you were wondering.  Dry land with brown grass and lonely skinny trees for hours, then sugar cane fields for hours (with that terrible mollases smell…).

Anyway, we finally got to Cairns, and I’m really excited to stretch my legs and walk around.

“How long is the drive from Cairns to the Daintree?” Me, excited to finally be out of a 3 by 10 cell.

“About two hours.”

Waah wah waaaaaaaaaaaah.

So two hours later, a ferry ride across a croc ridden river and a extremely windy drive through the middle of a forest we finally made it to… the pub.

Yes the pub.  The meeting place of Cow Bay.  Where everyone knows your name… and everything else about everyone else.  It’s where all the locals go and drink bad Australian beer and smoke hand rolled cigarettes after a long (actually …short…they don’t have much work ethic up here) day of work.

Natalie and I stayed with Nats dad, Chris, his partner Kerry and her son Cody, in Kerry’s extremely beautiful balinese style house at the end of a dirt road, surrounded by the beautiful trees of the rainforest.

The Place

Once you pass the river (that yes, does have crocodiles in it…one kid has been eaten… beware!) you are in the rainforest.  Unfortunately (for the animals and the soil) there is a long (recently) paved road that runs through it, beginning at Cow Bay and finishing at Cape Tribulation. Unfortunate for nature, but lucky for us tourists.  After the ferry, you come to Cow Bay first.  I like to think that the heart of Cow Bay is the tea farm.  It’s the only organic tea farm in Australia and it’s a family run business.   The fields of deep green tea surround a hill.  At the top of the hill is a beautiful house where my favourite residents of Cow Bay live.

My first full day there, I went to the top of the hill to meet Babe.  That’s not her real name, but once you meet her, you’re just like, yah!  Babe!  She is this fabulous, bubbly, positive, upbeat woman who is so encouraging and insists that everyone “Rock on!”  (This one time, I went to the school to pick up her little ones with her, and as soon as she stepped foot on the school playground, kids started surrounding her and hugging her “Hey Babe!  Hi Babe!”  Once we’d collected Ben and Eva and were walking out the gate, the school children all shouted, as we left “Rock On Babe!!!”  hahahah!).

Anyways, if you keep heading north from the tea farm, you pass a few restaurants (one of which I worked at, serving tourists their burgers and milkshakes and kangaroo and teaching Americans where Toronto is and meeting Australians who know where Kitchener is and meeting Canadians that had job offers for me for when i get back ) and come to the road where Kerry lives.

Interesting thing about the rainforest, if you live there, your house has to be green or brown and can’t be seen from the road.  This is the same for the resorts that run along the road further up; so that when you drive along the road, all you see is trees to your right and left and trees growing up above the road, creating a beautiful green tunnel.

This place is absolutely beautiful.  Second day: Beach.  Oh my god.  The beaches.  They are absolutely breathtaking.  This is where I meet Shorty.  Cow Bay’s favourite grandpa.  He’s an older man, a Vietnam vet, who has retired to the rainforest, and spends everyday (actually, EVERYDAY) on the beach, drinking VBs.  Only VB.  From when the sun gets up to when it goes to sleep, Shorty is drinking VB, working on his tan and taking walks along the beach.  (If it’s raining, he goes to the pub).

The rainforest is a whole other world.  The people that live there, live in a certain isolation.  The only connection is Telstra (I’m Virginmobile, so i had no reception for over a month) and the only good internet is at a few of the backpackers (first time i used the internet i had to walk 2 hours and pay $10 an hour).  Even the residents admit that you have to be pretty unique to live up there.  I spent time with some of them, Babe, Will, Adam, Ed and Simon, and they were all definitely unique.

The People

Will was a young guy in his early 20’s and I was shocked that he chose to live up there.  After asking if he gets lonely (there are about 5 people in their 20’s in cowbay…if that…), he replied that he enjoys solitude and has his two dogs for company.  Will had this huge property full of gardens and trees and an open house… the only covering was the mosquito net on his bed.   There was a funny outdoor toilet and shower, and from the house you could hear the waves from the sea. He enjoyed good coffee, card games and smoking his bush pot, so we got along well.

Simon was cool, and i met him on the beach one afternoon, when we were all sitting around a campfire, drinking and smoking funny bush pot (i might as well warn you now, there was a lot of ‘funny bush pot’ up here).  His kids, Oscar and Tilly, were the cutest kids of all and Simon was super friendly.  We hung out a few times, and he would make me fresh salads from the stuff we would pull from his gardens and give me bowls of ice cream with fresh passion fruit on it.

Ed was a quiet guy with a boat.  We also got along well.  He would often find me sleeping on the beach or walking towards the beach, and then would take me out on his boat.  His house was full of aboriginal arts and crafts and he always made me drink too many strongbows.  He loved having me around, cause I’m a really good fisher.  I don’t want to be, but I just am.  I guess fish know that I’m not there to harm them or their home.  (I did eat one of the fish i caught, and ended up being sick that night… then i took another chance, tried the fish again a few days later, and was sick again… i get the point, Universe, and I’m sorry!).  He took Nat and me out on his boat for a two day trip to the reef, it was amazing and nauseating.  For a few days after I could hardly walk straight.

Adam was a guy in his 30s who had a job helping his friends run their resort/restaurant.  He is originally from Melbourne, but moved up to help out his buddies.  Adam would pick me up in the mornings and take me for walks along the beach with his dogs, where we would go crocodile hunting (we really did see crocodiles).  He drove me into Cairns a few times.  He goes their often because his partner lives there.

The Atmosphere

Everyone here loves a little solitude.  They all live on their lonesome on these huge properties and the only way to get power is to run generators.  I could go on and on, talking about the craziness of this place, but my word count is already ridiculous.

The Daintree is quiet, and I got to do a lot of thinking, writing, reading, walking and time on my own.  It’s nice to be in a place where you are constantly surrounded by beauty.  I enjoyed my job a lot; it gave me a chance to converse with people and keep myself from going crazy.  The people that owned the restaurant were awesome too.  If it got too busy, they gave me a XXXX (beer) and the chef made me delicious meals everyday.

I could seriously keep telling stories about my time up North.  I feel like I have barely said anything.  If you’re interested, we’ll sit down and chat about it, cause I’ll be home in TWO MONTHS!!!!

June!!!

Music: Ben- Michael Jackson (RIP)

I checked the ol’ blog, and I was definitely surprised that the last time I wrote was at the beginning of June!  Holy Crow!  I’m getting bad at these updates.  I’m even getting bad at updating my own personal “for my eyes only” diary.  Things probably won’t improve when i hit the road again.

That’s right kiddies, tomorrow morning I head north on a train with my partner in crime, Natalie.  Wee!

But first, an update.

June.

June was AWESOME.  The beginning was Nats birthday.  Her birthday is june 4th, which, in Australia, is the beginning of “winter”.  I went up to the Sunshine Coast to surprise her with champagne and birthday hats, and we showed those uni students how to party.  The next day, we lounged on the beach and went to a local fish and chips shop for lunch.  Some might say it was perfect.  Well, at least i do.  Whenever i’m on the coasts of Queensland, it just blows my mind how lucky aussies are.  Every day, no matter what time of the year it is, unless it’s raining, you can head out and take a gorgeous stroll on the beach and even go swimming.  Totally paradise.

We drove back down to Brisbane that day to find out that our old mates, Tom and Rich (of Thailand and of Sydney) were travelling up the coast and would be reaching Brissy that Sunday for a classic Aussie Sunday session.  It was great seeing the guys again.  I love when people bring up memories of our travelling days in Asia, and its always nice to do it over a *coughcough* few drinks.

We took the guys out and about in Brisbane.  It’s a pretty nice city to walk around for the day, especially taking the boats along the river and walking through the parks and the waterfront.

We also went to the famous Steve Irwin zoo.  GREAT zoo, people.   Absolutely gorgeous!  Such a great, animal friendly zoo.  Little emotional seeing pictures of Steve Irwin, but at least his wife and children are carrying on his legacy.   We even caught a glimps of Bob Irwin (the little one).  The day at the zoo with the animals is probably one of my top ten days in Australia.

This time it was a REAL goodbye with Tom and Rich.  I have no plans of bumping into them in the next few months.. and definitely no money to go to England.  One day boys.. one day.

Last week was Tamara, Hayley and my super awesome two days in Sydney.   We went down for the State of Origin on a plane early wednesday morning from the Gold Coast.  We celebrated with Champagne on the plane and as soon as we dropped our stuff off at the backpackers, we headed into the beautiful city of Sydney.  Or more specifically, Tams favourite pub, The Lowenbrau.  Only eleven am, and i was already drinking down a litre of beer.

We ended up chatting with the only other people in the pub… four older males who took a liking to us, and invited us over to their penthouse.

Their penthouse suite… 18th floor of the Mantra, downtown Sydney.

Heck yes!

So we did.  We partied in a penthouse suite before the game, where the boys supplied us with all the drinks and foods we could ever want, and invited us over after the game.  The game itself was awesome.  Such a good atmosphere being in a huge sold out stadium of 80 000, surrounded by people drinking, high fiving, yelling and having a good ol time.  Partying all night in the penthouse wasn’t shabby either.

We spent the next day in Sydney, walking around the beautiful city, touching the opera house, taking a boat ride around the city and laughing about how lucky our night was.

Now it’s the end of June, and i’ve just had my last weekend in Brisbane.  I obviously partied with Tamara and Ed, my two besties here in Brisbane and had a delightful goodbye with Narelle (my coworker) and her family as well as the rest of my coworkers on my last shift.  Natalie was able to make it down for the weekend too, so saturday night was mayhem.

I’m really excited to leave and start travelling again, but really sad to leave Brisbane.  Its been a good home for the last 4-5 months and I’m going to be sad to leave my adopted brother Lachlan, sister Kaitlyn, mom and dad, Sharon and Laurie.  I can’t imagine not spending a day at Tam and Ed’s house, or seeing my coworkers again. . booo.

Today i got some good news though…. Tamara is coming to Canada!!!!!!  She bought her one way ticket yesterday and I will be picking her up in the Toronto airport on December 17th!!!!  (Oh, btw, mom… there will be an extra head for Christmas.)  I’m really excited for Tam to come and join me in Canada, and super keen to get into all the winter sports, since it will be like, her second time seeing snow!  Woo!

So now I’m off to the North, to visit Nat’s dad in a place called Cape Tribulation.  No power, no cell phone connection, no city.  So long city life!  Catch up with you all in a little less than a month! xoxoxo

State of Origin

Music: new Yeah Yeah Yeahs cd. (two extremely enthusiastic thumbs up)

Alright, so there are many funny little quirks regarding our Australian sister that us Canadians may find amusing.  These may or may not include: bowls clubs, pokies, calling everyone mate, eating lots of lamb, these weird huge statues that are all around AU, kangaroos, lethal waters, lethal spiders and snakes, shortening every word in their dictionary, calling a pharmacist a chemist, thinking 12 degrees is cold, having 50 cent coins that could hurt a small child if thrown at one, and other such things.

Another thing that i find quite funny is how patriotic Australians are.  They fall in different levels of patriotism.  First is their State.  They looooove the State they come from (New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, Southern Australia.. just to name.. half of them).  More specifically, Queenslanders (Brisbane, the Sunshine coast, Gold Coast, Cairns…) absolutely DESPISE New South Wales (think Sydney…).  A common joke is that if a QLD team doesn’t win, then it better be any team, other than NSW.

Next they love their side of the country… therefore, poor old West coast Perth gets teased for being on the other side of Australia, nicknamed “Perthlings” as well as told they might as well be another country.  Harsh.  I would never say that about lil P.E.I.

Thirdly, they love their Country!  Americans suck, the UK sucks, New Zealand… oh lord, don’t get me started on what they have to say about Kiwis… and Canada… well.. no one cares about Canada.  (“You’re from Toronto?  Is that near Whistler?” True story.)

Lastly, they are proud Anzacs.  If the situation were to arise… say, in the Commonwealth games, or other instances where Aussies lose at some sport, but the Kiwis are left to beat the British at some lame game, like Cricket (have you looked into this sport?!?!  It is absolutely ridiculous and makes Baseball look as fast paced as speed skating), they will stand by their sister Southern Hemisphere country….but only then. (I’m sure it would then follow them being proud Commonwealthers… as long as they’re better than America…)

I was requested today to partake in one of the most Australian things i could do (and, I quote, “have to do”) while being here.  If I want to experience true Aussie “culture”, I would definitely, 100%, have to attend STATE OF ORIGIN!!!!

Most people are like… what?  State of Origin?  What does that mean?

Well, Aussies love their Rugby…or Footy, as they call it… and they love their teams, and they hate other teams.  Their teams validate their City, their State as being the best in Australia.  But wait!  What if players on a Sydney team were actually born and raised in Queensland?  Not Fair!!!

Solution: State of Origin.  (I’m not actually sure if that’s how the dilemma/solution situation went exactly… but i’m sure it was something along those lines).

So, Queensland and NSW call back their best players, no matter what team they currently play for, for a best out of three games, to determine who the better state is.  Qld vs. NSW; the Maroons vs. the Blues; the Cane Toads vs. the Cockroaches.

My dear friend Tamara calls me up with a complete schedule for us and a few others going down to Sydney for one night of mayhem and of course, game 2 of State of Origin.

“Alright.  I’m in.” Me.

“Yaaah!  We’re going to Sydney!” Tam

“Nice!  Which team are we going for?” Me.

Short angry silence.

“Queensland, Lindzy!!  The Maroons!!” (they pronounce Maroon, Ma-roh-n here… put that on the list) “Only the best team ev-ah!  The best state!  You’re gonna see what it’s like to be at a NSWs home game and WIN.  Qld is gonna KICK  NSWs ASS!!!”

My sweet little Tamara suddenly turns into a savage beast.

“Well, i’m a little frightened of being at such a highly competitive game–”

“Whatever man, I was at the game last year, and got a beer poured on me, and i took it like a man.  And you will TOO.  When QLd wins and NSW supporters are pissed at us for being AWESOME and beating them…”

You get the point… and all of this from a “young lady”…

There you have it… just trying to blend in with the crowd… learn a little culture… do as they do…

Man… remember the days when “learning the culture” included Ikebana classes (flower placement), tea ceremonies, bowing, and eating different foods?  Time to bring my macho…

Queensland ruuuuless!!!!  GGgggrrrrrr!!!!

Quarter of a Century, Well Lived? Check!

Music: Bounce feat. N.O.R.E by MSTRKFT

Guys!!!  I’m twenty-five years old!!! I have officially had the earliest birthday on the earth that I will ever have.  (This was my thought bubble until Natalie took her big Pin, popped my bubble by pointing out that my birthday would be earlier if I was in New Zealand, and even earlier if I was in Fiji).

Anyways, the point is, that being here in Australia, it was my birthday way before anyone in Canada had even reached the 23rd of May.  This also abled me to have two days of birthday, since on May 24th, it was still the 23rd in Canada, and you’re damn right I used that as an excuse.

I’m pretty pumped about being 25.  I think its a good number, and I know it’ll be a good year.  Obviously!  My 26th year of living will include travelling up the coast of Australia to the North to stay with Nats dad in the rainforest, in a small place called Cape Tribulation, flying in a helicopter over the worlds largest single structure made by living organisms (The Great Barrier Reef), seeing some of the worlds craziest animals and plant life that can only be seen on this lone continent on the other side of the planet, tasting wine in some of the worlds best wineries, travelling back down the coast to see the larger more “civilized” cities that Australia (or Strayiah, as I–and all Aussies–like to call it), like Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne.

Afterwards, I am meant to meet up with Ashleigh in Thailand, where I will get to see the rest of Thailand, that i didn’t see the first time, Malaysia and Indonesia.  Also worth mentioning, will be the epic reunion with Ashleigh, Kyle, Rachel, Katrina and Jason, and even before then, Nat and I will be reunited with our Thailand travelling buddies, Tom and Rich, as they travel up the Australian East coast this June.  And, of course!  Back to Canada for a legendary homecoming.  You heard me, legendary.

Heaps to look forward to!

The big day was a pretty good one I have to say.  I had a wonderful curry lunch with my Aussie family, went to work, and then headed to Tamara’s for some bday drinks.  Tamara, and her roomates, Ed, Alanna and Marcus, along with Natalie sang me the old birthday song over an ice cream cake (how does everyone learn so quickly that I don’t like real cake?!) and I opened a few Aussie themed gifts.  For those of you that know Brissy, we obviously spent the night in the Valley, rocking out.

What else is new?

Well, while you folks in the northern hemisphere (the normal hemisphere, I like to say..) are welcoming the beautiful summer, winter is headed my way.  It hasn’t been too cold, mostly lows of 13 degrees (this is in the middle of the night of course).  The days are gorgeous and crisp, the sun still blazing hot.

I’m going into my last month of work!  Which means I better saaaaaaaave.  I’ve been spending the majority of my time with Tamara and her housemate Ed, both totally awesome happy and funny dudes.  We like to watch funny movies, drink wine, play in the backyard, watch rugby (thats more them forcing me to watch…), have bonfires, make fun of each other, go to second had stores and eat cheese and crackers.

Volunteering has been going well and I still enjoy going.  They refered me to go be a teachers assistant in a school here, but with such little time left in Brisbane, I would feel bad not being able to commit for longer than three months.

I’ve been reading and am currently well into and thouroughly enjoying Down Under by Bill Bryson.  A comedic novel about this crazy country called Australia.

Anyways, life is still going well and even though I’m one year older.  One year better!

Solid Ground Sucks

Music: Whatever you like- T.I

aah…. to be back on the ship… Instead, I’m back in Brisbane…working.  Not hanging out with Fergus. Paying for stuff.

Babong.

Whatever you like was our ship song for a reason.  (except for the dirty parts…)

The week with Fergus on the ship is going down in history as top ten moments of my life.  (This list is not set in stone).  I woke up Saturday morning at 9:30, packed my back, and headed to the port at 10:30.  I’ve become such a good fast packer .  It was the first time in my life that someone has said to me: “That’s all brought?”  I looked around me, and people did in fact, have massive suitcases.  I just had my little carry on and a backpack.

Anyways.  I spent the first day being taken around the ship, shown where everything is.  First of all, Ships are like mazes and I have the worst sense of direction. Second of all, I had access to the passenger and crew areas, so it was double the hallways/staircases/floors to know.  Lost, all the time.

Passenger areas; iiiinteresting.  Crew areas, iiinteresting.

Being a passenger on a cruise ship, is the funniest thing i have ever experienced.  At the same time, being a crew member is the funniest thing I have ever experienced.  Ships are funny.  Especially when all the passengers are Aussies and the crew are all from overseas (UK, Canada, England and New Zealand).

Watching Fergus and his coworkers for a week, proved to me that working on ships is one of the craziest jobs.  For many reasons, including: they NEVER leave work (the night that we had in Cairns was Fergus’s second time in 6 months that he could be off the boat untill 3 am, and only half of the crew get to go).  Imagine never getting off a boat?  Its like uni residence in hell.  No escape.  Then there’s the crew bar, where the crew parties.

This is where the gossip mostly comes from.  Everyone sees if you leave with someone, everyone sees how drunk you got, everyone on a boat sees everything.  Fergus and I were hanging out on an empty deck, and a crew “police officer” came by to see what we were doing.  As she was leaving, she gave us a friendly reminder of the cameras that are waaatchiiing.  You’re always being watched on a boat.

It was funny to observe all the cliques, all the gossip, all of the ship .  It was even more fun to go on a crocodile tour for free with Fergus.  He pretty much has the best job ever, and has to go on these tours to video record everything.  I, therefore, get to go along!  Crocodiles are cool and so are aussies that work in conservation areas.  We saw a crocodile fight and wallabies jumping around the fields.

We also got to go on this zoo trip in Cairns (where I played and fed Kangaroos!!!!!) and a gondala ride and little walk in the rainforest.  Australia is absolutely beautiful outside of Brisbane!

Cruises are fun, but cheesy.  I got to observe ‘Island night’, ‘Formal Night’, watch all the nighttime entertainment and go to talks and performances during the day.  One thing i did participate in was learning to juggle, which was taught by the circus artists.  I juggled!  Kind of… my legs were so sore the next day from squatting so much to pick up the fallen balls.   I think I can one day become a really good juggler.

Scene one:

Tully (Circus performer #1): Great job Lindzy!  You’re almost ready for four throws!  Awesome, you’re like two minutes away from it!  Great job!

Lindzy: Awe, thanks Tully.  (Keeps trying really hard, bitting tongue and crossing eyes in concentration).

Andrew (Circus performer #2):  I’m just gonna face you  so that i can see where you’re….

Lindzy: Going wrong?

Andrew: Yah, your second throw is shit.

Lindzy: *jaw drop*

Tully: Don’t listen to him Lindzy.  You’re doing awesome.

Andrew: Your third throw kind of sucks too.

And those, were the circus guys… my favourites on the ship for sure.  If you wanna be anyone on a cruise ship, you want to be those guys.  I hung out with them the most, cause they don’t actually work,…. like ever.  Wanna have a really good interesting conversation?  Find someone in a circus.

I miss the boat.

Yaaaaay!!!! It’s Free and It’s Fun!!!

Music: cheesy early 90’s music that is always playing on the deck :S… heeey Paula Abdul.

I’m not gonna lie…it’s pretty much the best thing ever to be MEEEE!!!!  I’m at work, Friday night, grumbling over mopping the floor and scraping ice from the fridge.  My phone keeps ringing off the hook, so even though it’s a little inappropriate, I answer.  It just happens to be my lovely seaman, Fergus Lowrey, calling from somewhere out in the South Pacific Ocean, where he is aboard the P&O Pacific Sun Cruise Ship.  He has been living and working on it for the last 6 months. 

“You’re on!  I got you approved!  You’re going on a free cruise tomorrow!!!”  I freak out, and we discuss a few details, but basically, I’m on a free cruise, sailing the Pacific ocean, tomorrow, for free, with my good friend Fergus, for free.  Did I mention that this seven day, all inclusive cruise, is free?  It is.

Problem.  My manager is not to pleased.  Solution… he leaves and I ask the head chef and my coworker if they can cover for me.  They do.  So we’ll see how angry this makes the boss… Sorry buddy, but like i’m going to pass up a free cruise to the beautiful Whitsundays, Cairns, Port Douglas and Willis Island, with one of my best buddies from home, who I hadn’t seen, untill recently, in over 2 years.  (Fergus has been coming to Brisbane every seven days for the last month, so we have been able to enjoy Saturday’s together in the city).

WeeeEEEEEeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!  This is actually Fergus’ last cruise before he finishes his contract and flies home May 2nd for a month or two.  We’re pretty pumped to be enjoying this together.  Furthermore, he’s pulling on every string he can find to get me free stuff.  Example: Free $160 tour of Whitsundays to go see some Crocs (Crikey!!), possible pedicure from the lovely Brits in the Spa, a free tour of a rainforest in Cairns (worth another $180 and the chance to feed Roos!!), food food food and professional photos.  Yay!!!

So that’s why it’s awesome to be me (and Fergus… cause he gets to hang out with me ).

Well… better get back to lounging on the deck in the beautiful sunshine surrounded by the gorgeous ocean.  Life is so hard… (If you are wondering what I am going to do if I don’t have a job when i return, the answer is, I don’t really care… I will write more later, but this has been quite the experience, and it has been less than 24 hours; especially cause i get the behind the scenes look of ships and all the best that a passenger would get… A job as a waitress really can’t compare!)

BTW, Fergus gives a shout out and would like to claim a spot as co-writer for this blog entry… mostly he just sat behind me, shouting out things I should mention… but he’s gone now… he went to get my free Shampoo and Conditioner from the spa. 

Bye for now! xoxo