Under the Sea - Great Barrier Reef

For those of you who know me...clearly you know me if you are reading this...you are most likely aware of my biggest fear.  SHARKS.  While I am deathly afraid of becoming a Hobby shark snack, I also love being near and around the ocean.  The ocean has very peaceful and majestic presence, and I think Sebation described its pure beauty the best:  

"Under the sea

Darling its better

Down where its wetter

Take it from me

Up on the shore they work all day

Out in the sun they slave away

While we devotin’

Full time to floatin’ 

Under the sea:"

Nothing like a classic disney tune to give you courage, huh? While my witty (copy)writing skills are reminding you why you hate sitting in your cubicle, how about you sit back and enjoy my canning photo skills of the Great Barrier Reef.

Disney coming to life 

Mary and I teamed up for the day. Each stop was easier than the last but a little hand holding is always a nice assurance. 

Mermaid dance moves

Finding Nemo

Truly enchanting

Thinking about posting this on a singles ad...

Thanks for stopping by - enjoy your day!

The Dino Way of Life

The Jurassic Park ambiance truly comes to life when you visit the Daintree Rainforest just up the road.  This is the oldest, largest and most diverse rainforest on the planet.  Dinosaurs roamed where I was strolling through a guided tour just a mere 120 million years ago.  

Round Palm - a favorite dino snack.

Lunch site, a fresh water creek that runs through Daintree

My peaceful rainforest tour took to a sharp tooth turn when we entered Croc Country.  These guys really did live on the set of Jurassic Park, and really do want to eat humans.  I was lucky enough to spot three crocodiles, but don’t worry I was safely aboard a boat.  These guys are truly terrifying, and a must see spectacle when coming to Australia. 

Eyeing our boat for their potential lunch

Now as cliche as it is, lets all take a moment to reflect on Steve Iwrin’s life. All you’re thinking right now is how ridiculous it is that he died from a sting ray and not a crocodile - me too!  Seriously, what an upset. 

Its Not all Roses and Roofs

Sometimes there is no room in the inn, so they throw you in a Stylie Tent.  I am not sure what the hostel was trying to portray through the name “Stylie Tent”, but stylish should not be the intended interpretation.  What I am trying to say is, for a week I have been sleeping out back in a tent that is not the most sanitary of living conditions I have encountered.  In all honesty it is not that bad, and I have made a wonderful friend with my tent mate, Mary.  

Home Sweet Home for the past week.

Mary, Jose and I enjoying a night out in Port. 

My tent also happens to be in a tropical paradise.  Just a short walk to the beach, and boom you are on the set of Jurassic Park (threat of killer dinosaurs exempt).  I will gladly pay the tent price to call this home for a week!

View that overlooks Four Mile Beach

What is interesting about this hostel, are the amount of people obsessed with living like dirty hippies for months on end.  I love peace. I sometimes like peace pipes. I always like showers and proper personal space, though.  Not this breed.  They like dirty feet, acid trips and coming home to a snug tent or spray painted roadie-van. While these are good  people, they are not my people (much to my mothers approval may I mind you).  So, those of you who were still consulting with jury on my dirty hippy conviction, the verdict has come in and I am innocent.  However, I still claim to be a fun loving hippy. 

Many of the people rent these spray painted vans and drive around OZ. 

Ah the tent life

All in all Port Douglas was an amazing experience, but I couldn't stay entertained longer than one week.  I loved the surrounding scenery with the rainforest and great barrier reef so easy to access.  I highly recommend coming here for a long weekend, and enjoying these top sights.   Post on the rainforest and Great Barrier Reef coming soon...

Gorgeous sunset from the marina

Bye Bye Bondi; Hello Port

Ah, finally - the trip I have been longing for.  My stay in Port Douglas will grant me easy access to Daintree Rainforest, Great Barrier Reef, warm turquoise water, hammocks, Island Hopping and fellow backpacker comroderey.  I will be sure to share the hob nobbing adventures I encounter, but how about I share my first 3 days in the land of OZ...


Well, after spending 23 flying hours and 5+ layover hours in China Town, aka my airline, I finally arrived in Australia's promise land (Sydney, duh). Being the beach bum I am though, I quickly ran away from the hustle and bustle of the Sydney city streets to the pristine coast line of Bondi Beach.  I could not have dreamed of a better place to start my Australian journey.  The Bondi Beach House welcomed me with open arms and a cozy cottage. For anyone visiting the Sydney area, you should seriously spend a few nights here.  Ten steps from the water, shops and restaurants, not to mention the universe's most tranquil patio garden with a wall of eucalyptus can turn any tired frown upside down.  

See - eucalyptus wall:)

"Technically" I arrived in the dead of winter.  Clearly San Diegan's and Sydneyians (?) have been the only one's describing winter in Sydney/Bondi.  The weather was perfect for exploring, 50's/60's F.  Speaking of San Diego, Bondi Beach is what SoCal WISHES it was:  

• The ocean is crystal clear blue 
• The people are even more beautiful (don't come with self esteem issues - this place won't work out well for you.)
• There is a better variety of restaurants and shops
• Public transportation...exists
• And my favorite there are lap pools right next to the ocean.  No need to risk your life while going for a dip, brilliant 

A tip for those ever venturing to Bondi Beach, the best way to take in all the beauty is to go for a run along to Coastal Walk.  From point to point it is only 4k, but you run along the coast and can double back to get in a solid distance. 

View of North Bondi after sunset

I did venture into Sydney my last day (yesterday).  My main point of business was to try and get my damned US 3GS iPhone unlocked. [ALERT: Getting one's phone unlocked in the US before hand does not work...you've now been warned]  So, upon recommendation, I joined back up with my peeps in China Town in search of a geek with mad unlocking skills.  As it turns out, they are not my peeps and no one would unlock my phone! I am now operating on a Nokia circa 2000. At least I have a real local Aussie number, though. After my rejection I decided to set sail on smoother waters and take in the sighs of Sydney Harbor.  The best way to do this is to literally set sail on one of the many ferry options.  The Opera House is as amazing as you were hoping it would be, btw. l look forward to experiencing this city with my partners in crime, Jana and David, come next February.After my brief visit, I do believe sharing this city with friends is the way to do it, and I can't wait for them to come!   

From the Ferry

Now I write to you from the Cairns airport awaiting my free pickup provided by Dougies Backpacker Resort.  This hostel will be my home for at least one week, and I am hoping to call Port Douglas home for a little longer than that...     

I Promise I'm Leaving

Well the day has finally come for me to leave the USA!

Flight essentials 

Thank you for fulfilling my "only child" desires by showering me with goodbye parties, gifts and parades for over a month.  Wait there was not a parade, this must be arranged when I return (I'm messing with you).

I digress...

 As most of you know I am flying to Sydney on China Eastern Airlines via Shang Hai. Now I was skeptical on if I truly had a legit plan ticket, but when you book a flight across the world for a couple hundred dollars you do not question the mode of transportation. Upon arriving to LAX this morning, I discovered this airline does exist!

I am, without a doubt, the only English speaking passenger on this plane, but I would not have this Hobb Nobbing adventure begin any other way. I am hoping to win some bonus points with my neighboring passengers by sharing the cinematic adventure of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. I will be sure to let you all know the outcome.

On a brief serious note:
I am so thankful for each of you supporting me and encouraging me to make this leap of faith into the unknown. I feel so honored to have spent quality time with all my fiends and family over this past month and a half. My soul if full and ready to take on Australia because of each of you. THANK YOU! Next time I write I will be in the land of OZ!  Until then, I love you all!