Brenda and Sarah take on Oz!

Amazing Cairns and Saying Goodbye

sarahlizweaver — Fri, 4 Jul 2014 06:44:00 GMT

After a whirlwind 4 days in Cairns, I find myself flying the long distance from Cairns to Sydney to LA to San Francisco. I can’t believe I’m heading back to California. It feels like a lifetime ago that I left and yet these two months have gone by in a flash. I have created so many memories, grown more than I ever could have imagined and, as always happens when I travel, reignited my wanderlust, already planning my next adventure in my head (destination TBD).

It’s hard to describe Cairns as anything other than paradise. I was joined by my friend Bill who I had met and connected with in Melbourne, adventuring in and around the city. Our first day was spent lazily laying in the sun next to, and swimming in, Cairns’ famous “lagoon”. Since the water next to the beach is not swimmable (rare in Australia), the city built a giant pool and esplanade area that locals and tourists flock to on beautiful days. For the millionth time since arriving in Australia, I found myself thinking “I could get used to this life.”

The following day we went on an amazing tour of the area’s waterfalls, forests and small country towns. As you can see in the photos in the gallery to the right, the day was full of breathtaking moments and awe-inspiring views. Throw in a knowledgeable and funny guide who looks like Otto from the Simpsons and a good group of people and you’ve got a fantastic day!

Our last day was spent snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef. There are no words to describe the pure beauty of the reef and the emotions that it can incur. I found myself close to tears as I swam above a giant turtle for several minutes, with neon fish and corals of all shapes and sizes swimming and swaying around. With the water silencing the noise above, one can very easily get lost in this underwater paradise. Similar to the feeling I had while walking past the Sydney Opera House, it was surreal to be a part of this underwater world seen so often on TV or in pictures. The waves were bigger than normal so swimming out was a solid workout and the 1.5 hour boat ride in and out of the reef was incredibly choppy. I took the advice of a fellow traveller and took seasickness medication before embarking and I am so glad I did. While almost everyone around us looked pale, sick and miserable, Bill and I bounced around laughing every time we’d hit a wave as we’d go flying across the deck.

I am full of mixed emotions today as I complete this adventure. I am so looking forward to getting back to California and seeing all of my amazing friends and colleagues (and kitties!) who I’ve missed dearly. Yet, there are people and a life in Australia (and in Toronto) that I will miss as well.

I was talking to my mom recently about how I feel like I’m continuously having to say goodbye as of late. Whether it’s leaving California, Toronto and now Australia, I’m so lucky to have the pleasure of seeing old friends and making new ones which always leads to having to say goodbye for a little while at least. At the same time, I also feel a sense of sadness (and a little fear) every time I leave a place. I was sad and a little fearful leaving California for this “life break” not sure what to expect in Toronto. After an amazing month reconnecting with so many loved ones, I was sad and a little fearful leaving Toronto for the unknown in Australia. After an incredible month of adventure and growth in Australia (and I was so tempted to stay for at least a little longer!) I am sad and a little fearful of returning to California and what “real life” will look like for the next little while. I know that I will settle back in pretty easily and hope I don't lose what I’ve gained over the last couple of months. My mom pointed out how lucky I am to have had wonderful experiences in so many different places and that all of them make me happy and feel like home in their own way. I think she’s absolutely right and I take comfort in knowing that there are so many places and people in this world who bring me joy and that there are so many more to discover!

On that note, I’ll sign off of this last blog of my Oz Adventure. I can’t wait to start blogging again about a time and destination yet to be determined, but hopefully not too far off. Thanks for reading – see you soon!

Ps. Check out some of my favorite photos from Melbourne, Tasmania, Sydney, Byron Bay, Fraser Island, Hervey Bay & Cairns in the Photo Gallery to the right!

Not all who wander are lost.

sarahlizweaver — Sun, 29 Jun 2014 09:01:00 GMT

In true backpackers style, I am 8 hours into a 24 hour bus ride taking me up the coast from quiet Hervey Bay to busy Cairns (aka the Great Barrier Reef). Brenda and I said our goodbyes this morning as she is heading off to Cambodia for work (lucky girl!) so I am embarking on this long trek on my own, giving me lots of time to reflect on this journey. Brenda and I have been talking a lot about our favorite travel quotes so I’ve decided to do some reflecting with the guidance of some of the quotes that we’ve discussed.

“I have found out that there ain’t no surer way to find out whether you like people or hate them than to travel with them.” – Mark Twain

After nearly a month of travelling with Brenda, and being together almost 24/7, I can confidently say that I like her! Obviously we were friends before we embarked on this journey but that friendship has deepened in many ways. It was such a joy to experience this adventure with such a wonderful soul. We now know more about each other than most and are comfortable talking about just about anything. We’ve laughed, cried, danced, marveled and reflected together. Both Brenda and I have some big decisions to make in the near future and were perfect companions as we talked and talked and talked some more trying to figure out the right next steps for each of us. I am so grateful to not only call Brenda a dear friend, but to have experienced all of this wonder with her.

“A journey is best measured in friends, rather than miles.” – Tim Cahill

I have met so many wonderful people on this adventure, as I’ve reflected upon in numerous blog posts. Most of these new friends were just passing through my life ever so briefly but not before impacting me in one way or another. A few have made a deeper impression and I hope to keep in touch as we all get back to our “real lives”. One of the friends that I made on our first stop in Melbourne will be meeting me on my last stop in Cairns, a wonderful way to wrap up the trip, from start to finish. There are so many interesting and kind people in this world and travelling is a surefire way to meet a whole lot of them and is the reason I think I will forever be a wanderer, even if it’s a settled wanderer.

“Not all those who wander are lost.” – J. R. R. Tolkien

This is one of my favorites and is surprisingly from a Lord of the Rings book. Many of the travellers that I’ve met are the least lost people I know! They wake up each morning with purpose and joy and confidence on their journey. I have gone from feeling a little lost leaving California a couple of months ago, to returning to California with joy, strength and excitement for the next steps. Wandering has helped me find myself again and was exactly what I needed.

“Take only memories, leave only footprints.” – Chief Seattle

This morning over our last breakfast together, Brenda and I talked about our favorite memories from each town. Although they were hard to narrow down, here are mine:

Melbourne: A few nights after arriving, I found myself having dinner at a new friends house, surrounded by other new friends laughing and talking away. I had a beautiful moment of pause as I absorbed how quickly one can feel at home in a new place and connected to new people and what a wonderful feeling that is.

Tassie: Spending the day exploring Hobart by bike, feeling the wind in my hair and the sun on my face and feeling completely joyful in the moment and grateful for everything that had gotten me to that point.

Sydney: Sitting on pillows on the floor, drinking hot tea and listening to amazing acoustic music at an art co-op at a secret music event introduced to us by our friend Stef. I felt like a true local!

Byron Bay: Walking down the street in our long dresses and being swept up by some travelling musicians, dancing along the sidewalk before parting ways, I loved the spontaneity of strangers meeting on the street brought together by music before parting ways.

Hervey Bay: Hanging out on the beach with Brenda with not a soul to be seen. It’s off-season (aka winter) in Australia and we were lucky enough to spend much of an afternoon with a beautiful beach completely to ourselves!

Cairns: We have a busy few days planned in Cairns including a day of snorkeling and a rainforest tour. I know there will be many wonderful memories made – stay tuned!

To wrap up, here’s a final quote that holds meaning for me, what does it mean to you?:

“Once in a while it really hits people that they don’t have to experience the world in the way they have been told to.” – Alan Keightley

Ps. Check out photos from Melbourne, Tasmania, Sydney, Byron Bay, Hervey Bay & Fraser Island in the gallery to the right!

Beautifully Strange Byron Bay

sarahlizweaver — Tue, 24 Jun 2014 22:27:00 GMT

While planning this trip, Brenda and I asked everyone we knew who had visited Australia what their ideal itinerary would be. One place that kept coming up was Byron Bay and once we arrived, I understood why. This beach town is laid-back, yet bustling. It’s full of good restaurants, talented musicians busking on the streets and numerous tranquil beaches with clear, turquoise water. The weather is mostly sunny and the water is terrifically warm.

I am always most at peace in nature. Whether it’s hiking through a forest, sitting by a lake or swimming in the ocean – being outside and amongst nature will always bring me serenity and joy. Being in Byron Bay is all about being outside and enjoying its natural treasures and that is why I’ve come to love this town after only a few days.

On our first day, we awoke early to hike up to the Cape Byron Lighthouse. We were told to be prepared for the many steps to the lighthouse but inadvertently found a back route that led us on a gradual climb up to the most easterly point in Australia. We watched person after person panting as they finished scaling the hundreds of steps and were proud of our secret route to the top. We were lucky enough to see several whales from our vantage point atop the cliff as they are very active at this time of year in Byron Bay.

After a quick lunch, we headed off for some sea kayaking in hopes of seeing some dolphins, turtles and whales. Unfortunately, we didn’t get to see much marine life due to the choppy conditions but still enjoyed paddling out and riding the waves, only flipping the kayak once when we got a little too relaxed as we approached an incoming wave.

During a break on shore, I jumped into the water to do a bit of body surfing and found myself smiling from ear to ear as I splashed in the water. There is something so peaceful and joyful about being in the ocean, it is definitely one of my happy places.

After getting some work done on Tuesday morning, we headed to town for a delicious organic lunch before heading back to the beach for some body boarding and sunbathing. As noted above, the water is beautifully clear and we rode the waves with fish swimming around us, the soft sand under our feet.

In the evening we walked downtown, both dressed in long dresses that had us fit right in to Byron Bay. At dinner we enjoyed some pumpkin pizza (pumpkin is a winter staple in Oz) while sitting outside and people watching. After dinner we strolled the streets and walked into a group of travelling musicians who proceeded to take our hands for an impromptu dance on the sidewalk. After walking a little further, we ended up at an outdoor bar with great live acoustic music, playing the likes of Bluegrass and protest songs against the current government, a common theme in Australia at the moment. Our Tuesday felt like a typical day in Byron Bay, a day that included music, dancing, the ocean and lots of laughter. I could really get used to living in this little piece of paradise.

We returned back to our hostel to find Skype voicemails from our dear friends from San Francisco who are currently travelling together in Cambodia. I marvel at how much has changed in our lives since we all met a couple years ago and how much we have grown as individuals and together. Here we are, backpacking literally across the world from where we first met and yet connecting as we so often do back in California.

Our final day in Byron Bay was yet another beautiful example of life in this treasure of a town (can you tell how much I love this place?!). We spent the morning at a cute café, catching up on work before heading out to learn paddle boarding. Since it’s the off-season here, our lesson ended up being private and we were paddle boarding like pros in no time. The fact that there were stingrays smiling up at us as we paddled along probably also helped me be sure to stay standing! We paddled along a peaceful river for 2 hours and both Brenda and I managed to stay dry – not too bad for two complete beginners. In the evening, we went for one last stroll in the town (we’re catching a very early bus tomorrow morning) and bumped into a friend we made in Melbourne. It’s so nice to see familiar faces even on the road! We watched some more great acoustic music at the outdoor bar before retiring to our hostel to pack up and get some solid R&R in preparation for our day of travelling tomorrow.

As I have been after each place we’ve visited, I’m sad to leave Byron Bay. Even though we’ve only been here a few days, I’ve gotten used to this town. I love its laidback vibe, many hippie residents, smiling faces, great music and beautiful beaches. I’ll strive to keep a piece of Byron with me as we travel onwards and head home, something Brenda and I have talked about at length. I’ve been thinking a lot about how to keep that feeling of wonder and openness that we have on the open road, once we get back to the hustle and routine of real life. What changes in us when we’re no longer in an unknown place, no longer travelling, that prevents us from reaching out to strangers and finding adventure on a daily basis?

Ps. Check out photos from Melbourne, Tasmania, Sydney and Byron Bay in the gallery to the right!

Seeing Sydney like a Local

sarahlizweaver — Sat, 21 Jun 2014 21:21:00 GMT

Once again we are sitting in an airport, getting ready for the next leg of our adventure. This time we’re at Sydney airport after spending 5 lovely days in this city of neighborhoods. Our time in Sydney ended up being more relaxed than Melbourne & Tasmania, a nice respite from the go-go-go of the last few weeks.

We had the pleasure of staying with my friend Stef in the beachfront neighborhood of Coogee. Stef and I met a few months ago while travelling through Ecuador and it was a joy to meet her friends, check out her favorite neighborhoods and spend time with her amazing family. With 4 generations of family within a few blocks of each other, we were honored to be so warmly welcomed by her grandparents, parents, sister and new niece.

Our first full day in Sydney was spent at Sydney Harbor and walking around downtown Sydney. It was surreal to be eating lunch looking out at the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbor Bridge, seen so often in photographs and on TV. The definite highlight of the day was the Sydney Harbor Bridge Climb. Brenda and I geared up, got hooked in and spent 2 hours climbing 1,332 steps to the top of the bridge. We did the night climb allowing us to watch the sunset over the city and then see the city light up in front of our eyes.

We woke up at 5am the next morning to do the beautiful coastal walk around Coogee Beach, watching the sun come up over the water and reveling at the large number of surfers already catching waves.

The rest of our days in Sydney were spent in a more low-key fashion, getting work done during the day either from Stef’s porch, overlooking beautiful trees and listening to the bizarre sounds of Australian birds (one of which sounds like a strangled cat), or setting up at a café nearby looking out towards the beach.

One evening was spent with members of Amazon Watch Allies of Australia, a new volunteer chapter of Amazon Watch that inspired me with their passion and dedication. It was wonderful to be able to connect in person after communicating solely by email and to get a real sense of their ideas and plans to help Amazon Watch grow in Australia.

My favorite night in Sydney was a secret acoustic music night called High Tea, which takes place in a shared artist workspace. Guests sit on pillows and blankets on the floor, warming up with hot tea and listening to excellent acoustic music, with the sounds of the city echoing below.

Before arriving at the airport today we explored the neighborhood of Gleebe, including its eclectic Saturday market and beautiful old bookstores. Thanks to the hospitality of Stef, we were able to see beyond Sydney for tourists and really get a feel for the city and it’s people – the real joy of travelling.

My foodie inclinations continued, as I thoroughly enjoyed the likes of Lindt chocolate croissants (made by a lovely Canadian now living in Sydney), some of the best Pad Thai I’ve ever had (and I’ve had a lot!) and a delightfully strange breakfast that included black sausage, currant jam and cucumber salad.

We will soon be boarding the short flight to Byron Bay, a beach town and a hippie haven. We’ve been told the water is pretty warm and I, for one, am very much looking forward to getting in the water and basking in the Northern Australian sun while connecting with more like-minded new friends.

Ps - Check out pictures from Sydney, Tasmania and Melbourne in the photo gallery to the right!

Keeping Cool in Tasmania

sarahlizweaver — Tue, 17 Jun 2014 01:06:00 GMT

We’ve spent the last 3 days in Tasmania, or “Tassie” as the locals call it. We’re currently waiting for our flight in the one-room Hobart airport. Even though we’ve only been here a few days, we have bumped into three people we know at the airport this evening, which is a great snapshot of life in Hobart. It’s a city that feels like a small town, where people are quick to strike up a conversation or give you a hand if you look lost. The scenery is breathtaking and many of the buildings are grand historic structures. It is also very cold. We were warned before we came that we’d be cold, but the Canadian in me just rolled my eyes at their weakness. I was wrong. It was COLD! Part of the problem is that I didn’t pack for what feels like a Canadian winter. The other problem was the lack of heating in our hostel. We slept in double layers of socks, two sweaters, scarves and two comforters. I guess for $22 a night, insulation and heat is a luxury. All I know, is I’m looking forward to warming up in Sydney!

Our first morning in Hobart was spent at the local craft and food market, sampling all sorts of treats and checking out beautiful handicrafts, all created in Tassie. We then rented some bikes and headed off to explore the city on its great bike path that runs along the railroad. We biked well over 20km and got a really great feel for the city and it’s people. I think cycling is one of the best ways to see a city, without the confines of a car, which can make one feel quite isolated from their surroundings. We spent the evening walking around North Hobart, a cute street of shops and restaurants before heading back to our hostel for some early R&R.

On Sunday, we woke up bright and early for a tour of Bruny Island, a small and narrow island south of Hobart. Our tour included more breathtaking views, which very much reminded me of Newfoundland with vibrant greens, jagged rocks and crashing waves. The tour also included gourmet food stops, which has made me even more of a foodie, something I never thought I’d say before arriving in Oz. We sampled ah-mazing chocolates, potent cheeses, fresh oysters (those of you who know my aversion to seafood, know this was a big step for me!) and scones hot out of the oven with fresh cream and jelly. Sitting outside, watching the waves crash in and enjoying the mouthwatering pastries, I once again found myself closing my eyes to truly revel in my senses, enjoying both the taste and smells of the scones as well as the sounds of the earth. We also stopped at a whiskey house, where Brenda and I splurged on a whiskey sampler. I’m not a big Whiskey drinker but it was interesting to taste how different they can be. It also worked to warm us up!

In the evening we headed down to the Wharf where part the bi-annual Dark MOFO festival of arts was taking place. It’s a festival similar to Nuit Blanche in Toronto with multiple interactive and outdoor art exhibits throughout the city. We hadn’t planned on being in the city for the festival so it was an added bonus for our weekend.

I spent today at the very cool Museum of Old and New Art (MONA), a creepy, fascinating and very different Museum. Someone had told me it was a museum with everything you would never see at a museum, which is a pretty apt description. The museum is relatively new and was built by a professional gambler who grew up and still lives in Hobart. He built the museum as a way to give back to the city he loves and it is free admission for anyone from Tasmania. On my way to the museum I met my first Canadian on the road and we enjoyed comparing notes on our impressions and how much Tasmania reminds us of the East Coast of Canada.

We spent the rest of the afternoon exploring Battery Point which is a tangle of streets with old cottages and buildings that feels like it’s right out of England. We found ourselves lost, stopping in for a pint to get out of the rain in a historic building before asking directions to get us back to the city.

We are about to board our flight to Sydney where my friend Stef will be meeting us. She and her family are graciously hosting us and I can’t wait to spend time with her and get the insiders view of a world famous city!

P.S. Check out more photo's from Tasmania and Melbourne in the Gallery to the right!

A Letter of Gratitude

sarahlizweaver — Tue, 17 Jun 2014 00:12:00 GMT

This blog is different from my other entries as it is a more personal reflection of something I’ve been thinking about a lot. It’s a way for me to process my thoughts and feelings as well as to show my deep gratitude to so many of you who have helped me get here.

As many of you know, I’ve gone through some major life transitions in the last few months that were not easy. Life can throw curveballs and that is what 2014 did to me. And yet, as I was biking through Tasmania this past weekend, with the wind blowing through my hair and the sun on my face, for the first time I found myself grateful for what had happened because it’s gotten me to where I am now.

In the last few months I’ve learned so much. I always knew I had amazing people in my life, but I was truly overwhelmed by the incredible amount of love and support that I’ve been surrounded with from all over the world – what I call my army of love. Every time I think of that army, I can’t help but smile and be lifted. And that is exactly what each of you has done. Not only have you carried me through the darkness, you’ve lifted me higher than I was before. You held my hand, wiped away my tears, hugged me close and made me laugh until I couldn’t breathe. You cooked me dinner, sent me loving texts to wake up to every morning, checked in throughout the day and took me out for fun nights on the town.

With your love surrounding me, I’ve grown in so many ways. I can feel my strength and take comfort in it. It makes me feel whole. I can see the person I’ve become and I really like who that person is. This year has been challenging, and yet so beautiful thanks to you, my army of love.

So I guess I just wanted to say thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for being you and for inspiring me everyday.

Feeling Beautifully (Dis)Connected

sarahlizweaver — Sat, 14 Jun 2014 00:14:00 GMT

Our first week in Melbourne has flown by. In thinking about how to best frame the whirlwind week, the first word that came to mind is connections. Connections to people, to experiences and to myself.

We saw quite a bit of Melbourne through the eyes of a tourist. We did an excellent free walking tour of the city in which we learned a lot about the history of the city, its beautiful street art and the stories behind many different neighborhoods and businesses. We also did a one-day tour of the breathtaking Great Ocean Road. As the name implies, it is a road stretching along beautiful ocean views and staggering cliffs. It reminded me of Highway 1 in California – a nice connection to home.

We were also lucky enough to experience the city as a local would as we befriended people who were living in the city long-term. We went to an Aussie Football game which was good fun – especially after we swallowed our pride and finally decided to ask someone to explain the point system to us. We cheered along with 60,000 other passionate fans while enjoying some stadium food and drink.

I was continually impressed with the food in Melbourne. More than once, I found myself stopping the conversation, to close my eyes and simply enjoy the taste of my meal. Reveling in connecting to my senses. Sweet pumpkin curry, pulled pork eggs benedict with apple cider hollandaise, incredibly fresh fish and chips right from the ocean… I could go on and on! At night we would check out a new neighborhood and the local bar scene, enjoying some live music or good atmosphere or would connect over dinner at a friends house, enjoying good company, good food and good wine.

I have truly enjoyed meeting some amazing like-minded people with whom deeper connections were built after only just meeting. Being able to make new friends over drinks, talk the night away and continue the conversation over breakfast while connecting over our shared beliefs and experiences is one of the joys of travelling that I’ve always loved and which I was lucky to experience multiple times in Melbourne.

I am feeling blissfully disconnected from “real life” – enjoying each day and the new experiences that it brings. That disconnection did get us in a little trouble this evening. We flew into the tiny Hobart airport in Tasmania, where we are spending the next few days. As I was “living in the now” so well, I forgot to figure out how to get from the airport to our hostel, assuming that the airport would have an open information desk (it didn’t) or that the airport would have free wifi so that we could figure it out ourselves (it didn’t). We found ourselves walking around a very empty airport laughing at the situation we got ourselves into. After asking around a bit we discovered we had just missed the last shuttle for the evening and had to shell out for an expensive cab ride – one of the last taxi’s waiting at the airport. Luckily, Brenda and I are compatible travel companions and were both able to laugh at the situation, knowing we’d eventually figure it out.

We are now in our hostel in Hobart, a quiet space that will be nice for both of us to recharge. As we sat in the lounge, we started talking to someone who after hearing where we were from, told us about his good friends who live in the San Francisco area and how they had met. It didn’t take me very long to figure out that he was talking about the legendary Branden Barber, my manager at Amazon Watch. I am in awe of how small the world can be and how many amazing people we are unknowingly connected to – it’s a beautiful thing that is highlighted when we have the freedom to travel and reconnect with ourselves and others.

P.S. Check out some of our photos in the gallery to the right!

Settling in to….Ireland?!

sarahlizweaver — Sun, 8 Jun 2014 09:44:00 GMT

After 3 flights and 28 hours of travelling I arrived in Melbourne Saturday around noon. Luckily, the flights were not as bad as I had anticipated, mainly due to the fact that airlines outside of North America treat flyers like human beings. On my long leg from LAX to Sydney on Quantas, a hot dinner, hot breakfast, large bag of snacks, unlimited drinks, a blanket and a pillow were all par for the course. I managed to sleep the majority of the flight thanks to planning ahead and packing ear plugs and an eyemask. Leaving LA Thursday night, I arrived in Sydney Saturday morning making the flight feel like the many cross-coastal red-eyes I've gotten used to since moving to California. Except this red-eye was longer than 6 hours so I had plenty of time to sleep - albeit uncomfortably.

My first impression of Australia and Australians is just how friendly and open everyone is. People talk to strangers like their old friends, laughing and getting on. It reminds me of one of my favourite places - Canada's East Coast. Admittedly, it does take a little getting used to from the more reserved atmosphere of the U.S. and- to a certain extent - Toronto.

I was feeling quite awake as I made my way from the airport to the hostel, a bustling place in the centre of St. Kilda, a bohemian neighbourhood of Melbourne, walking distance to the beach. I headed to my room with plans to get all the practical matters sorted out including getting an Aussie number and an internet stick. Both Brenda and I are working remotely 3-5 days a week, being lucky enough to work for organizations that offered us the flexibility to embark on this amazing adventure whilst making a living and having a job to return to. We are hoping to find some mobile internet sticks that will give us the ability to work from wherever we want - including the beach! :)

After arriving in my room, I decided to lie down for just a second. Of course, that quick rest turned into 4 hours of solid sleep, I guess I wasn't as well rested as I had thought and wasn't off to a very good start in getting adjusted to the time difference.

I awoke in the evening to a room full of new Irish friends, two groups who were just getting aquainted with each other. At first, I had no trouble understanding them, my time living in the Midlands of England serving me well. However, as the night progressed and the conversation became more animated the accents became heavier. It reminded me of the days I would spend with my dad's side of the family in the UK, usually nodding my head and laughing along to who knows what. Yes, it's all english but it can seem far from it sometimes.

We made our way to the house of a friend of one of the groups and suddenly I found myself surround by no less than 20 smiling Irish faces and I became the token Canadian "fresh off the boat". We headed to a local pub where I learned that the Irish somehow are magnets to each other. We met one Irish person after another. I had to remind myself that I was in fact in Australia and not in Ireland. 24 hours in Australia and I've only met Irish!

After a late night out, I find myself awake bright and early, still adjusting to the time difference. I hope I'll be able to make it through the day and finally get on the schedule of the sun. Brenda will be arriving to the hostel shortly, we'll see how jetlagged she is, and we'll officially kickoff our amazing Aussie adventure!

Photos: Australia!

sarahlizweaver — Wed, 28 May 2014 20:50:00 GMT

Aussie Aussie Aussie!

sarahlizweaver — Wed, 28 May 2014 20:45:00 GMT

In just over a week, I will be boarding a plane for the long flight to Melbourne, Australia. Just how long is the flight? With the time difference and length of the flight, I leave Thursday and arrive on Saturday!

I am so excited for this month-long adventure in the outback. Australia has always been on my bucket list and I had given up on getting there any time in the near future since it's not somewhere you visit for a week or two - you really need at least a month. Even with a month, I feel like we will be kept very busy and we are sticking to only the East Coast!

This trip came together quickly and fairly last minute for me. Over dinner one night, Brenda mentioned her travel plans and the flight she just booked to Oz. With longing in my eyes, I expressed my envy on what would for sure be a wonderful trip. With that Brenda told me to join her and sent me her flight itinerary.

"Yeah, sure" I said, the practical part of me immediately dismissing the thought.

And yet, as often is true in my life, the stars aligned in several unexpected ways and within a week I was texting Brenda: "It's official, I'm joining you in Australia!".

With that, our planning in coffee shops and via Skype commenced. We contacted the many people we know who have lived in or who currently live in Australia. We ordered our guidebooks, collected all sorts of advice (some of it contradictory!), put together a calendar outline and got very excited.

We will be starting in Melbourne, spending a couple days in Uluru and then making our way to Sydney. From there we will make our way up the coast, likely stopping for wine in Hunter Valley, perhaps skydiving in Mission Bay, surfing in Byron Bay and shopping in some of Australia's many markets.

Whatever we end up filling our days with, we are looking forward to making wonderful new memories with new and old friends.

We'll do our best to keep you updated on our adventures on this blog - stay tuned!

Sarah