Uluru (Ayer's Rock)

Well, Uluru (more commonly known as Ayers Rock) was exactly what I expected-it was one very large, very isolated rock.  However, it was also so much more.  I headed off to the explore the outback early Thursday morning with Liz and Christine- another American I have met over here.  After an uneventful plane ride we landed in the outback mid arvo to discover that Yulara, the town Uluru is in, has a thirty minute time difference.  Not sure why the rest of the world is on hourly time zones and Uluru is not, but whatever the case we changed our watches and checked into our 20 person hostel room.  As you can imagine twenty people sleeping in one room is not quiet and when we were not waking ourselves up to see the sunrise over the rock we were awoken to random alarms going off every morning well before 5 am.  After getting settled in we explored our resort and bought food for the weekend at a little supermarket nearby.  Then we hung out poolside until it was time for sunset and went to a viewing area to watch the rock.  Yes, I realize how dumb it sounds to say we watched a rock but we did a lot of “rock watching” on this trip.  It never moved, nor did it do anything but be massive and beautiful.  The sun went down and we took the typical touristy pictures then headed back to the hostel for some dinner of peanut butter sandwiches and some free drinks at the bar from a nice Canadian on holiday.  The live entertainment was really good and he played every night.  We were also excited to see that the musician was an airline steward and helped us check in and board our aircraft on the flight out.  

But I’m getting ahead of myself.  We still had 4 days left to explore the outback.  On our second day we were the annoying people waking up to see the sunrise.  It was pretty, but not worth waking up for so we didn’t stay too long and headed back to bed for a few hours.  Our tour of Uluru wasn’t until the afternoon so we decided to spend a stress-free morning laying out by the pool and reading.  Much to my surprise and my parent’s probable delight I not only read a book for pleasure but I liberally applied sunscreen to avoid sunburn.  The outback gets hot and since Australia is missing the ozone layer, the sun is strong.  Luckily I took precaution.  After catching some rays and having another poor college kid meal of peanut butter, Liz, Christine and I headed off to our tour.  The tour was in my opinion a waste of money.  While we did get to drive all the way around the 9.4 kilometer base of Uluru and hike around in certain parts, we were the youngest of our group by a good forty years and it was a very slow paced walk.  The upside was learning new information along the way and receiving free snacks and champagne at the end of the tour (necessities for college kids on low budgets).  Our guide showed us Aboriginal paintings and led us to the Aboriginal cultural center which reminded me very much of the Masaii village I visited in Africa.  There we got to learn more about the people and history of the rock as well as read some stories from the “sorry book”.  The book is a collection of letters of regret from people that took parts of the rock only to have bad luck come their way.  They then returned the sand and parts of the rock in hopes of reversing what they had done. The reason Aboriginals began their famous dot paintings is because it was suggested they have some written form of their stories in order to remember them.  They, however, believed that “government law is written on paper.  Anangu law is in our heads and in our souls.  We do not put our law onto paper.  It was given to us by our grandfathers and grandmothers, our fathers and mothers, to hold on to in our heads and our hearts.”  While their culture is still somewhat of a mystery, we did learn solid facts about the rocks.  Some of the fun facts we learned are as follows:

Uluru is famous because it is the world’s largest monolith. This means that it is one solid rock made only of sandstone.  While sandstone is gray, the rock is red due to the iron in the environment that oxidizes when the water hits it.   The rock is 348 meters tall but 6 kilometers of it is hidden underground! There are many sacred Aboriginal stories with the rock about how it was formed and what different lines and cracks mean.  While I’m sure you want me to bore you with the details, for time’s sake I suggest Google.   One thing I will share is that as of now Uluru is still open to the public to climb.  The Aboriginals call the people climbing it mingas, or ants.  They strongly urge people not to climb as this is a sacred spot to them and people are ruining it.  Taking this into consideration, I chose to respect their culture and not to climb.  I only hope enough other people make this same choice, therefore conserving what is so very important to them.  They have even said that tourists come and take pictures and climb but don’t truly understand what they are looking at; therefore, they are not appreciating their culture but are also ruining it.  I will take their word for it and respect their sacred spot.

Day three started out with a tour pick-up time of 5:30 for me and Liz.  We headed over to a lookout spot to watch the sunrise over another rock formation called Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) and Uluru.  Then we headed to the Olgas and began our self-guided 6 kilometer Valley of the Winds hike where we saw wild kangaroos hopping around and made friends with an interesting (to say the least) couple from Ohio.  On the hike we were amazed at how big the 36 rock formations are and just how beautiful rocks can be. (I can’t believe I just said that).  Once again being the youngest people in the group Liz and I finished our hike heaps before the others so we sat in on a tour to learn a little more about Kata Tjuta.  Because it is so sacred to the Aboriginals, only initiated members can know its true meaning.  We did, however, manage to learn that New Zealand moves 3 cm closer to Australia every year and will eventually be an island right off the coast.  We also learned that Kata Tjuta is a conglomerate and has strata lines at an 80 degree angle from sediments being forced together.  Uluru’s strata lines are vertical.  The strata lines are nearly at right angles of each other and the rocks were formed by the same mountain range millions of years ago-weird!  Another thing we found interesting is that both rocks erode a little each year but because they are eroding at the same rate of Australia, they are still the same height as they were when they were formed.  After our hike we relaxed by the pool and spent the evening at the hostel’s cook your own barbeque.  I opted out of trying kangaroo and emu because they were both bloody, red meats and crocodile was a little out of my budget.  Therefore, I cooked a nice little veggie burger and had heaps of fresh fruit and corn.  With our stomachs finally full of real food it was time to get the party started on the dance floor.  We made friends with 3 older gentlemen who asked us to dance.  By older I mean they probably went to high school the same time my grandparents did.  At least they were fun to dance with!  It was then off to bed to prepare for another long day of relaxation.

Day four began with an early morning hike through the outback where we ran into our friends from the night before!  They were headed off to cairns and we regretfully denied their invitation to join them.   The goal of our hike was to find a sign that told drivers to drive on the left hand side while in Australia but when we saw a snake’s trail through the sand Liz was hesitant to continue.  While we never ran into the snake, we did get to see the rock from a few new angles!   

After the walk we went back to the pool to play some cards and lay out.  I taught the girls how to play 4 Kings which made me a little homesick for my dad.  Thankfully I met a nice traveler that helped me keep my mind off home.  We talked about how amazing Australia is and about how we were both reading books by Bill Bryson.  For those of you that don’t know, he is a travel writer who is not only humorous, but extremely informative.  My new friend and I were going to swap books but neither of us finished in time so he gave me another to read instead-Aussies are extremely nice people.  After a few more hours of cards and socializing it was time for our much anticipated camel tour!  Liz and I shared a camel named Chester and he was about 30 years old (camels can live up to 60, but their prime is 16).  Chester was a very nice one-humped dromedary camel.  Australia is the only continent where these are still found in the wild, about 1 million to be exact. We saw an example of these wild camels when we came back to camp and they had caught a wild camel and were planning to tame him.  Because they live in the desert, camels have some interesting adaptations.  Their hump is made of fat and they can go almost a month in the winter time without water.  The pads of their feet are like sponges so they land on the sand softly.  Camels must live in dry environments because if their feet soak up too much water they will get a fungus and rot.  Our guide (whom we all think was extremely intoxicated) compared it with wearing wet sneakers for a week.  Camels can carry around up to half of their body weight and because they weigh around 500 kilos, I didn’t feel too bad for mister Chester.  Although our walk was slow and steady, much like a guided horse ride, camels can run up to 65 kilometers an hour, which they frequently do in the camel cup held in Alice Springs every July.  Some of the camels on the farm were raced in the cup and even placed! A few other fun facts I found interesting are that camels breed standing up and since the males penis faces backwards it has to loop around, much like an elephant’s. After learning our plethora of fun camel facts and watching the sun set (this time on the back of a camel!) we headed back to the farm to once again enjoy free snacks and drinks-score!  We also received a free photo cd of our experience because the creepy, single man “accidentally” burned an extra one.  Seeing as we also got $20 off our camel tour it was a pretty cheap, fun experience that I would definitely recommend.  I would also recommend star gazing in the outback as Christine and I did.  Liz was too scared of the critters to venture out in the dark but other than a close encounter with a mouse, we survived and were able to see the stars in the middle of the outback.  Not something that a year ago I thought I would be able to say I’ve done.

The trip was an expensive one but definitely worth it.  While I already felt a sense of familiarity with the rock, it was nice to finally see it in person. It reminded me of the Grand Canyon but instead of looking into a hole I was looking up at a very, very large rock.  It’s a weird comparison, I’m aware, but it’s also very difficult to describe.  Seeing the outback was an experience and I once again wish more of my friends and family could enjoy this with me.  The trip did teach me that I want to be a tour guide when I grow up.  Probably for a summer or two but as much as I love learning fun facts about new places, I would love to teach others as well.  Now I need to find somewhere to do it and someone that will hire me. Hmmm I guess I’ll get started on that when I get back stateside.  Until next time-G’day, mate!

Surf's Up!

First off, I think it’s fair to say I’m “frothing” over this last weekend.  This is one of my new surfer terms I picked up at the weekend surf camp I just attended.  I went with 4 other Americans that attended Wollongong and are from all over the states.  The five of us left a rainy and cold Wollongong Friday afternoon to head to Sydney for our Mojo Surf Camp.  I thought the camp was on one of the Sydney beaches but it turns out it was 6 hours north of Sydney in a place called Crescent Head.  The drive was a long, but fun one.  We watched Crocodile Dundee and surfing videos while rocking out to music with our (very cute) driver.  We arrived close to midnight and hit the hay to get a good night’s sleep for our long day of surfing.  The camp was a very stereotypical Australian surf camp setting.  There was a bonfire pit, an outdoor eating area, a main building with couches, a fire and two rooms for sleeping as well as outdoor toilets.  I shared my room with 4 people, but there were only two walls so we heard noises from the other room and downstairs.  Needless to say, I didn’t sleep well.

We woke up early the next morning for a brekkie of Australian cereal and fruit and then headed out to hit the waves. (Australian cereal is called Weetbix and it is a chunk of cereal that you add milk to break it into smaller pieces that you eat.)  The beach was beautiful and we had it all to ourselves! There were 11 people in our group and the instructors said usually groups are about 50 but sometimes they get up to 300 people in a weekend!  We were very fortunate the group was so small as it allowed for more one-on-one instruction time.  After practicing how to stand up and paddle on our boards, we zipped up the wetties (wetsuits) and jumped right in.  I was able to stand up after a few attempts and had a blast riding the waves.  I “got up for your mum” as the instructor told me to do and then failed when trying to get up for dad.  He told me dad’s have too high of expectations anyway-ha! We were even joined with a dolphin for a little while!

 After my first ever tuna sandwich for lunch and another surf lesson down at Racecourse beach, we sat down for an amazing dinner of chicken schnitzel, salad, and potatoes.  We then all gathered around the bonfire for some beer and some laughs.  We all went to bed pretty early because we were so “sauced” from the day and we had another early morning surf session Sunday morning.  I was only able to stand up on one wave Sunday because I had a pretty bad wipe-out and hurt my ear.  Some people tried to tell me it was the way I landed in the water but I think it was from fighting off the great white shark that tried attacking us.  I guess we’ll never know…  Although I got hurt, it was still nice sitting on the beach watching my new friends laugh and smile as they learned how to surf.  After a few hours we headed back to the camp, had some lunch and hit the road home!

Overall, the weekend was amazing.  Not too many fun stories to share but definitely many memories made.  I’m obsessed with the lifestyle of surfing.  The entire weekend I didn’t look at my phone, check any emails, or even look at a clock.  Everyone is so laid back and it was nice to get away and relax.  I know I’m already away on vacation but this just felt so connected with nature and brought back memories of camping with my family.  It was an awesome experience finally getting the opportunity to surf.  I want to keep practicing and getting better so I can give Kelly Slater a run for his money.  I’ll keep people updated when Hurley tries to sign me, but until then, G’day mate!

Sailing in Sydney Harbour

G’day! After asking myself about a thousand times if “this is real life” I have come to a conclusion: it is not.  Today I woke up early to catch a train into Manly so I could go sailing in Sydney Harbour. Let me repeat: Sailing in Sydney Harbour!  Nick, an Australian that we met here in Wollongong invited Liz and me up for the day to go sailing with his family on their sailboat.  We woke up early to catch a train, and after realizing I read the timetables wrong, we thought we would miss our ferry into Manly and be late.  Luckily, after sprinting through the train station, we stepped on the train as the doors were closing.  After arriving at the wharf, we ran yet again to catch the ferry.  We made it on time thanks to a delayed train!  I was the only one that came out with a battle wound.  Sketchy cut on my leg that happened at some point in the train station.  Maybe tetanus will be a free souvenir?

The ferry ride over to Manly was beautiful.  We got to see the Harbour filled with sailboats racing and yachts cruising around.  Nick picked us up at the wharf and took us on a little tour of Manly.  The town is beautiful with a fantastic beach with little shops all along.  He then took us to his house where upon arrival I scraped my leg getting out of the car.  We then packed up some lunch and headed for the boat.  We got to ride down his chair lift first, however.  Liz was a bit scared of the heights but he kept reassuring her that we wouldn’t fall down.  The worst that could happen is we would slip and slide down and crash at the bottom.  Comforting, ay?  The large crew (Me, Liz, Nick, his two brothers, cousins, friends, uncle, and parents) loaded the boat and we were off!  We sailed around for about two hours trying not to fall in when the boat would lean.  There was one point when we were supposed to switch sides of the boat but I got stuck where I was sitting and thought I was going for a swim.  Thank goodness I survived!  I, yet again, came out with battle wounds.  I now have scrapes on my thighs, knee and a cut on my arm.  As amazing as today was it was definitely not a graceful one!

After anchoring in a little cove we had a fantastic lunch of chicken sandwiches, cheese and crackers and vegetables.  It was also my first time trying Australian Cider.  It’s a beer but has a much less bitter taste and is more carbonated.  It may be my new favorite brew-YUM!  We then headed back to Nick’s where we had tea and cake.  His mom had made banana cake (tough competition with Zeta’s)  for his dad as today was Father’s Day.  Following our arvo (afternoon) tea, Liz and I headed back to the wharf to shop around and explore Manly on foot.  We then caught a ferry back to Manly and once again had to run to catch the trains home. 

Overall, today was an amazing once-in-a-lifetime experience. We were able to see a little seal floating in the water and also some great landmarks along the way.  These include a confinement area where they put sick immigrants and expected them to get better before they were allowed to enter Sydney and also the Prime Minister's house.  We also saw the church Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman were married in. I am so grateful that Nick invited us to join him sailing and I appreciate all that he did.  It was so nice being around a family!  I’m not sure if it helped with the home-sickness or made it worse, but it was definitely nice.  I think between now and my next adventure I need to become more graceful and practice reading train timetables.  I still think that since these are the worst parts of my life right now I can’t really complain.  I have been on such a life-high lately it’s unbelievable.  I can’t sleep because I’m so excited for what adventure is coming next.  I have almost every weekend planned from now until the end of session and I can’t wait to experience it all.  Stay tuned!  Until next time- G’day mate!

The Bucket List Is Getting Shorter!

G’day! So much has happened over these past few weeks!  I have been finding heaps of new things to get myself into, and my bucket list keeps getting shorter and shorter!  To start with, I witnessed my first netball game last week.  My roommate, Kelsey, plays on a team for Uni and I tagged along to a game to cheer.  It’s similar to basketball but you can only be in certain areas of the court and you can’t move with the ball.  Weird concept and kind of boring- but still fun to experience!  I got sick last week which was no good.  I’m not sure if it was the milk I drank or if I caught something in Fraser Island but after lots of sleep, water, and a few home remedies I learned in Africa I’m now feeling better. 

Good thing I’m better because last weekend was Campus East’s Harbor Cruise up in Sydney.  We got all dressed up and went out on a nighttime cruise of Sydney Harbor.  We saw the opera house lit up as well as the bridge.  It was a little chilly, but it was beautiful!  After the cruise we went out in King’s Cross to a bar called Soho.  King’s Cross is the red light district of Sydney and it was a little sketchy but overall I felt pretty safe.  Thank goodness for sticking together!  I only felt uncomfortable a few times.  Our hostel was less than desirable to say the least.  Although it was a cheap place to stay and had complementary toast in the morning, I would not recommend this place to my worst enemy.  I slept with one eye open and showered well when we got home.   Another fun adventure in King’s Cross was in the train station.  We saw a man get arrested for having near 50 dirty syringes in his bag-sketch!

The day after the cruise Liz and I headed to Bondi Beach.  Despite rumors my mom heard about Bondi being a nude beach, everyone there was fully clothed.  Bondi is famous for the amounts of surfers it has.  There was also a TV show filmed there.  Liz and I laid out for a while, took in the sights and window shopped.  We also enjoyed lunch on the beach- my new obsession: fish and chips.  Sticky date pudding is another new food I’ve tried and although it’s extremely heavy and rich, it’s delicious.

I’ve been spending a lot of time outside as the weather is getting nicer.  Rollerblading with Kelsey and some other girls is a new found hobby of mine as well as finding new spots along the beach I can run and walk to.  Every time I’m outside I see new animals that we don’t have back home.  There are different dogs here that I’m falling in love with, but since my dorm won’t allow animals I’m observing from afar.   There is also a family of birds that hangs out outside of my room.  Momma doesn’t like when I walk too close so I’m keeping my distance but still trying to see them up close- So cute! 

Yesterday was the first day of spring, and we celebrated by watching the sunrise on the beach.  It was cloudy and the sunrise wasn’t too great, but we still got a show watching crazy kids swimming in the ocean to commemorate the day.  The most exciting part of waking up that early, however, was what happened AFTER the sunrise.  Kelsey let me drive her car home!  It was a little weird being on the left side of the road but not too different from home.  The things that got me were the turn signal and parking.  The turn signal is on the opposite side of the steering wheel so I kept accidentally turning on the windshield wipers. After about 4 tries at parking I finally gave up and let the car be crooked in the spot.  It was weird hugging the opposite side of the car while turning into the spot and I couldn’t tell how far away the other cars were.  At least we didn’t crash!

Today was a big day for me! Liz, Kelsey and I woke up early to explore the Nan Tien Buddhist Temple in Wollongong.  The complex was huge-at least 20 acres (I’m not good with measurements) and had beautiful gardens all throughout.  We made wishes at the wishing fountain and the wishing bell and we took pictures with little statues all around the temple.  When we went into certain buildings we had to take off our shoes and we weren’t allowed to take pictures.  The decorations were incredibly detailed with Buddha statues and intricate designs with deep reds and gold.  My favorite room was where ashes of 7,000 followers and their families are stored. Each little box had numbers and symbols carved into it.  It was a little eerie but the temple overall had a very calming effect.   

The next fun event of the day was heading to the St. George Illawara Dragons rugby league game! The Dragons are a professional team and could be compared to the Colt’s.  Rugby is awesome to watch and very intense!  The guys are HUGE!  Their legs looked like tree trunks.  All I know is if one of them came running towards me I would let them pass.  I guess I can cross professional rugby player of my list of possible jobs.  The Dragons beat the Panthers in their last home game of the season!

Although I keep doing fun things, I am still attending classes (Boring- I know).  I’ve now turned in a major assignment for all 4 of my classes and after getting my grades back I’ve earned 3 High Distinctions and 1 Distinction (A’s and a B+).  I’m hoping that as my schedule keeps getting busier I can keep up the good work.  Fortunately I have awesome parents who understand that this trip isn’t all about schoolwork and I need to experience everything I can while I’m here (hint, hint).  As for the experiences, I will continue blogging and keep everyone updated about my crazy, fun life.  I still can’t believe how lucky I am to be here and how amazing all of this has been.  I have plenty of adventures planned, so stay tuned!  Until next time- G’day, mate!