A Love Letter to Australia

To Australia, my home for the past five months:

When I arrived here, I did not know what to expect. Despite desperate attempts to set low expectations and ward off disappointment, my hopes were high when I disembarked my plane on July 15th. And since July 15th, those expectations have far been exceeded.

A country full of joy, you welcomed me with open arms. I was full of fear and excitement that Friday morning. I had no idea what to do or how to get around, but I learned to find my way.

Over these five months, I have changed. I have discovered a new side of myself. I am bolder, braver, and more sure of myself. I have had amazing adventures. I have had dreams come true.

Australia, home to the Great Barrier Reef, Australia Zoo, Sydney Opera House, and Harbour Bridge.

Australia, home to koalas, kangaroos, dingoes, crocodiles, and scary spiders.

Australia, where the sun shines bright and it is warm almost year-round.

Australia. I love you.

Studying abroad was one of the best decisions I could have made. Coming to Australia was one of the best decisions I could have made.

With just over 36 hours until I begin my journey back to the United States, I am becoming more and more sentimental about leaving you, Australia.

          I'll miss the way the wind pushes hair out of my face. I'll miss the salty           sea air and warm, damp sand squishing between my toes as I walk                 along the beach.

          I'll miss the loud squawks of the lorikeets and magpies as they swoop             in from overhead. I'll miss hearing "how you going?," "cheers, mate,"             and "g'day" on an almost daily basis.

          I'll miss the long train to Sydney, the characters I met on the buses,                 and the ferries on the harbour.

          I'll miss walking on the left side of the sidewalk.

And despite our months-long feud, I'll even miss the sea gulls.

What I would miss most, though, is the adventure. But the adventure doesn't end here. I have a heart for trying new things and seeking adventure in every part of my life. I know I will continue to travel when I can, and I will find adventure in my day-to-day activities, too.

This isn't an ending, but a new beginning. And I know I'll be back someday, Australia. This isn't goodbye forever.

Thank you for the adventures. I love you, Australia.

Until next time.

Aussie, Aussie, Aussie! Oi! Oi! Oi!

Meandering through Melbourne

As of yesterday, I have one week until I leave Australia. This feels completely surreal. 

On one hand it seems that there is no way I have already been here for five months, but on the other, it feels like I haven’t been home in years. It’s bittersweet beyond words. 

I am going to be spending my last week in Australia in Newcastle, going to the beach, packing my things, and doing some last minute souvenir shopping. 

But that’s not what this post is about. I had one final adventure this past week in Melbourne. Compared to some of my other holidays, this was quite a low-key and relaxing few days…once I got settled, that is. 

I arrived in Melbourne Wednesday evening, and immediately I discovered two problems: I had no idea how the tram system worked, and IT. WAS. COLD.*** 

But Caroline, isn’t it almost summer in Australia? Yes, yes it is. 

But Caroline, wasn’t it 95*F when you left Cairns? Yes, yes it was. 

But Caroline, didn’t you check the weather forecast before? Well, that’s pretty difficult to do with nearly non-existent wifi…so no, no I didn’t.

Well how did you solve these problems, then?

I’m glad you asked! My initial plan was just to jog in place until a tram got there, and then continue to take trams until I got close to the hostel. I never said I was practical when I’m cold. 

Eventually, it dawned on me to look at the map at the tram stop (WHAT they have MAPS?), so two trams later, I was at the hostel. 

The next day, I began by heading to Target to purchase some pants. Once I had changed into them, I was good to go and I began wandering the streets.  

In these few short days, I fell in love with Melbourne. It’s a very artsy city, filled with tons of street art/graffiti, galleries, museums, and incredible architecture. Cafes and boutiques line the streets and alleyways. It is the perfect city to just wander aimlessly through, for you never know what you’ll come across. 

So, I stumbled upon a walking tour and joined in. 

I wandered through alleyways until I found Hosier Lane, a street famous for its graffiti. 

 

I came across a sign for a Banksy exhibit at Fed. Square, and since he’s a famous street artist, I thought it was only appropriate to go to view it. 

I wandered down St. Kilda’s Beach, collecting the most perfect seashells I’ve ever seen. 

I ate pastries every place I went. I just enjoyed life. 

And I am still enjoying life, soaking up every last bit of sun, every moment I have left here in the land down under. There aren’t many left. 

***Okay, so what is this “cold” that I’m talking about? Apparently I have become a true Australian now. I looked, and it was only 55*F. Not exactly a polar vortex. Pray for me; I may get frostbite leaving the Little Rock airport next week.

Under the Sea at the Great Barrier Reef

Ten Reasons to see the Great Barrier Reef:

 

 

1. It's one of the Seven Great Wonders of the World...for a good reason!

 

 

2. It's in danger, so who knows how long it will be around. (Note: Ignore that obituary for the GBR that came out a couple months ago. It makes marine biologists cringe.)

 

 

3. It's amazing.

 

 

4. It's the largest living organism in the world. 

 

 

5. Finding Nemo. 

 

 

6. Snorkeling is a blast!

 

 

7. You don't have to be a good swimmer to do it.

 

 

8. You get to swim among the fishes!

 

 

 

9. If you rent an underwater camera, you can take photos like these!

 

 

 

 

 

10. IT'S THE GREAT BARRIER REEF, OKAY? 

CRIKEY!

Steve Irwin. What a legend that man was. 

Like many people my age, I feel like I grew up with the Irwins. I watched as Steve wrestled crocs, Bindi sang about nature, and even when Terri announced that she was pregnant with Robert. 

I have a fairly vivid memory of the day I found out that Steve had been killed in a stingray accident. Sure, I’d never met the man, but it was so sad and strange to know that the man I’d seen in the most dangerous of situations, the man who seemed invincible, was gone. 

Fast forward to 2016. When I began to plan my Australian adventures, I knew that one way or another, I was going to make it to the Australia Zoo. I had to go. 

And I did. 

I flew into Brisbane on Monday afternoon, explored the city (and viewed the Supermoon) that evening, and early Tuesday morning, I made my way to the one, the only Australia Zoo. 

And it was everything I’d hoped it would be…and more. 

The amazing thing about the Australia Zoo is how interactive it is. In true Irwin fashion, the keepers get you right up close and personal with their furry, scaly, slimy, and feathery friends. 

 

The keepers are so excited to share their love of the animals with you, and they try to get you as close as possible to them. You can hold a blue-tongued skink, pet an echidna, or take a picture with a macaw. 

The two animals you definitely can’t get too close to, though, are the alligators and crocodiles. But to make up for that, they have many of them around the zoo and host a crocodile show to display these marvelous creatures’ moves. 

 

I swear this guy looks like he’s laughing. 

If you want to get more personal with some of the non-crocodile animals, you can book animal encounters. And because the zoo is in Queensland instead of New South Wales, you can actually hold a koala at one of these. So, internet, meet Annie. Annie, internet. 

 

Annie was actually a wild koala before she was rescued by the Australia Zoo, and now she spends a bit of her day meeting eager visitors to the zoo, cuddling with us, and taking pictures with us.

Adorable, isn’t she?

Speaking of introductions, I joked with my family saying that I was going to meet the Irwin family and become BFFs with Bindi, since she is a mere two years younger than me. 

What I didn’t know when I planned this trip was that I had scheduled to visit on Steve Irwin Day—the annual celebration of Steve Irwin’s life and legacy. And on Steve Irwin Day, the Irwin family hosts the Crocs Live! show…

And even runs around the zoo for a bit, meaning I ACTUALLY GOT TO MEET TERRI, ROBERT, AND BINDI IRWIN!!! Talk about a dream come true! (I only managed to get a picture with Bindi, but I talked to each member of the Irwin clan for a few moments. Mark that one off the Aussie bucket list!)

The Australia Zoo is an amazing place. It truly is Steve’s legacy come to life, and there is so much joy happening there, especially from Bindi, Terri, and Robert. Their mission is simple—protect animals, protect the environment, and make “wildlife warriors” out of everyone they meet.

And a wildlife warrior I am.