Where Has the Time Gone?

Becky has been here and left, however while she was here we got to do a lot of things around Australia.
The first few days she was here I took her all around Melbourne seeing all the sights.  They included an AFL “Footy” Game, the Docklands, Federation Square, Queen Victoria Market, and Lygon Street.  Although I had to go to class she was able to go see the Shrine of Remembrance, Botanical Gardens, and the Melbourne Zoo all on her own.  I loved having her here because it was fun showing her all around the city I have lived in for the past three months.

We were also able to go into the Skydeck which is the very top floors in Eureka Tower.  Eureka Tower is the tallest building in Melbourne.  We went up into the building at the prefect time because we got to take pictures during the day and see the city during sunset.  The views were amazing!  

Last Wednesday was University College’s Annual Ball.  The theme was sensation white and it was a fun filled evening.  There was a three course meal and plenty of dancing to go around.  It was one of my favorite nights in Melbourne.

The next day Becky, Kevin, Dena, and I all flew out to see Sydney.  Our days were packed full of things to do, which meant A LOT of walking.

The first day we got off the place and walked to the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbor Bridge.  We walked up an town George Street getting reacquainted to the city.  Even though it was my second time in Sydney I still loved getting to see everything again.

The next day we went to Bondi Beach and laid out in the sun while swimming in the freezing cold ocean.  Although it is getting warmer in the U.S. here it is getting cold because it is heading into the winter months.  After the beach we walked along the Sydney Harbor Bridge getting to see the Harbor from the air.  We also went to Luna Park, an amusement park in Sydney.  

The next day we met up with one of our friends from University College who was also in Sydney for the weekend.  We went to Patty’s Market and then took a fairy to Manly Beach.  Dena, Becky, and I all took surfing lessons.  It was so much and with a little bit more practice I think I could be quite good.  I loved surfing and was able to get up all the way on the board a couple of times.

After Sydney everyone went back home to Melbourne, however Becky went onto Cairns to see the Great Barrier Reef.  When she got back she said she had an amazing time scuba diving and getting to see the city of Cairns.

This week is my last week of classes before finals start.  I can’t believe my time here is going by so fast.  It feels like just yesterday I was landing in Melbourne.  Hopefully my last month here will go by really slow.  Although I can’t wait for my parents to get here soon.    

~MAI~

Best Weekend Ever!

Well I am at it again.  Traveling around Australia.  Last weekend some mates and I went to Brisbane for the weekend.  Brisbane was an amazing place.  It is located in the state of Queensland which is anyways temperate so the whole time we were there the weather was beautiful.    

                                       

 

On the first day we arrived we did a city tour where we were able to jump on and off the bus at different locations.  The first location was the Brisbane Parklands.  It was beautiful.  There were a lot of flowers everywhere so it was nice to walk around and see all the greenery and waterfalls.  We then stopped at several different locations that were good for shopping and restaurants.  At lunch time we ate the best fish and chips ever with a side green salad on top of Mt. Coot-ha (meaning honey).  The view on top of Mt. Coot-ha was amazing we were able to see the whole skyline of Brisbane.  After lunch, we walked around a part of Brisbane called Southbank.  It is beautiful walking around the river.  On Southbank there was a Street Beach where people who live in Brisbane could go to the beach without leaving the city.  One of the main transportation systems in Brisbane is the river so we took the city boat along the river.  That night we went out and saw the city all lit up at night.

The next day we walked around the city of Brisbane again.  Later in the afternoon we went to Lone Pine Koala Park, where we were able to actually hold a koala.  They are really heavy animals.  The state of Queensland is the only state where it is still legal to hold the koala in Australia.

On Sunday we rented a car and drove all around the Brisbane are.  We had all heard really great things about Morton Island.  Morton Island has a really cool ship wreck off the shore where big ships have sunken because they hit the reef.  However, we ended up on Bribe Island instead.  The day was still a lot of fun even though we didn’t end up where we were going.

On Monday we went SKY DIVING!!!! It was the most amazing ever I have ever done.  It was so much fun and I really want to go again when I get back to the United States.  We landed on a beach in a small town outside of Brisbane.  So after we landed we decided just to put on our swimsuits and hang out at the beach in order to soak up the day while we still could enjoy the weather before returning to cold Melbourne.

Things have been going well in Melbourne.  School is starting to slow down going into finals month.  I only have one more test to get done and then finals.  Time has been flying by way to fast!

Right now my big, Becky, is here for two weeks.  I showed her all around Melbourne yesterday.  I am so happy she is here! We should have a fabulous time.

I am so jealous everything back home is on summer vacation.  But I will see everyone when I get back in a month and a half.

~MAI~