Amazing Australia

ELLO LOVES! I've been on quite the adventure this past week... Life has been moving extremely fast, but every moment has been incredible. It's been exactly one week since I left the states and I think I'm finally adjusted to my new environment. I left LA Monday night and flew into Sydney for a quick layover, and then landed in Carnes Wednesday morning. Once there, I had orientation with my fellow US intern students and my amazing orientation leaders, Todd and Ross, both of whom are Americans living in Australia. Our first day consisted of getting settled in at our hostel called Gilligan's Backpackers. Then we had an information session where we were learned about setting expectations and goals for our internship, as well as a little background on Australia (history, culture, lingo, ect..). We then had dinner at The Pier and headed back to our hotel for a night of Aussie Bingo and drinks! Things really got interesting when the game turned into loosing one article of clothing until someone gets naked... 

That's Aussie Bingo for you.... Moving onto Day 2 in Carnes

Thursday we woke and had another info session before we set out for Rainforestation. We took a bus way up a mountain for a day of Australian wildlife and culture. We got to hang out with some wildlife, go on an Australian Rain forest duck tour (yup, just like the one in Philly), met Aboriginal peoples and experience their culture, learn how to throw a boomerang, and hold a real live koala!! When we returned to our hotel, Ross took some of us ladies for a nice long bike ride around town. After dinner I was beat and went to bed early so I was well rested for the Great Barrier Reef tour on Friday.

My amazing orientation leaders, Todd and Ross

Jack the Ripper

Wallaby 

Baby Wallaby 

Carnes from up top

 Friday morning we woke up at the crack of dawn to hit the water. Our group shared a local boat tour with some other students from Mexico. It took about 2 hours to get out to the first reef, where I opted to scuba dive... best decision I ever made. Even though it was an extra cost, the experience was incredible. I saw tons of coral, fish and all sorts of sea creatures. The best part of all was I found Nemo. He's so stinkin' cute in real life!! After lunch on the boat we headed out to another reef. I snorkled this one which was just wonderful. There were loads more fish on this reef. It was incredible to be swimming on the GBR with thousands of fish all around me. The pictures did not capture the essence of the moment and words can't even describe the amazement I felt. I'll never forget this experience in Australia.

Great Barrier Reef Tour

Me with our scuba instructor

 Saturday was another travel day, and I would final arrive to my temporary home in Sydney. The evening flight was gorgeous, with clear views and a beautiful sunset in the sky. When I got to Sydney I met my roommate who is from California who didn't get to go to orientation because of a delayed visa. There are about ten of us from the program staying in the same hotel which is just across the street from a huge park in Surrey Hills, Sydney. Almost everyone staying in the hotel are extended stay international students. Not only do I get to experience the amazing culture of Sydney, but I'm living with people from Chile, Italy, UK, Holland and Mexico. I couldn't have asked for a more culturally enriched environment to be living in.

 Even though most of us were exhausted by Saturday night, we couldn't resist living it up on our first night in Sydney. 5 of us girls took one of our 2 fellow American mates, Carlos out to the local bars. Everyone must of thought he was our pimp (lol). First we went to a mod bar where we crashed a private birthday party, then we went to pub that was having a costume party. Since we weren't dressed for the occasion, we split after ripping up the dance floor. Sunday I was able to explore Sydney at it's finest... well not really since it was pouring. For those of you who don't know, it's winter here. Sydney winter is like fall in PA, except very very wet. It's mid 60s during the day and drops to low 40s at night. Despite the ran, I went for a run in beautiful Moore Park, went to central station to get a bus/train pass and went grocery shopping. Sunday night a few of us went downtown to check out the light show. It really hit us that we were finally in Sydney when we got to the harbor and saw the Opera House. WOOOOOOOOO!!!

 Today (Monday), was my first day at my internship! It was a very long day but the weather cleared up nice. I work right across the street from the harbor so I enjoyed my lunch outside along the water :) Check the view below-

These next few weeks should be interesting, challenging and but most importantly, just plain fun! I will continue to blog my experience. I miss everyone and I hope things are going well back home. I hope everyone is happy and healthy. If anyone would like to personally contact me please get a hold of me via facebook or e-mail, where I can give you my address, phone number, or skype address. It would be lovely to hear from anyone back home, any time.

lots of love
~mrlb