Australia
Goodbye Melbourne. Or Should I Say See You Later …
I woke up at 9am, and realized that I slept for 11 hours. I can’t even remember the last time I slept for that long! I felt perky and fresh as a daisy. My flight to Auckland wasn’t until 6:50pm, so that gave me the whole day to still enjoy Melbourne. When I asked JR...
Happy Australia Day! (I Ate Vegemite)
I find it quite appropriate that my last full day in Australia is Australia Day. I don’t think you understand - if I wasn’t American, I’d want to be Australian. Hands down, no contest. I’ve fallen in love with the beaches, the water, the sun, the slang, the laid-back...
A Day of Oscar Nominated Movies
The secret about long-term travel that bloggers don’t tell you: there’s a lot of down time. I mean, don’t get me wrong - it’s super easy to fill up each and every day with something insanely cool and exciting. But the truth is, most of us don’t have the budget to...
We Were Stranded on the Great Ocean Road
One thing I continuously heard that I had to do while in Melbourne was take a drive down the Great Ocean Road. Lucky for me, Jo had a car and a plan. Side note: it's really nice when you have local friends that have a car and a plan. It means that I get to sit back...
A Day in Downtown Melbourne
Because I'm staying with Jo in Geelong, it means that I'm an hour outside of Melbourne. So today our plan was to trek up to Melbourne's city center and explore downtown. In case you aren't aware, there's a huge rivalry between Sydney and Melbourne about which city is...
What Exactly Is Mexican Cheese?
For the first time in a while, I got to sleep in and not sleep in a hostel. It was pure magic. As this trip continues on, my body can't keep up with this sleep deprivation lifestyle. Either I'm cooking a late dinner, working on my computer, waiting for someone to...
A Friendship Across the World
In my mind, there was only one real reason to visit Melbourne. Jo. Way, way back in the day, I met Jo in London. She was sleeping in the bunk bed above me, and we met in the bathroom as we got ready for the day. And that was the beginning of the tightest of bonds. We...
My Last Stop in Australia: Melbourne
It's hard to believe that I've already been in Australia for five weeks. On the one hand, I feel like I've barely scratched the surface of Australia. But yet on another hand, I feel like I've been here for months. One thing I know for sure: so many beaches, so little...
Sailing and Scuba Diving in the Great Barrier Reef: Day 2
Yesterday’s sailing in the Great Barrier Reef was sunny and warm and pleasant. Today was the complete opposite. I woke up at 5:45am, ate breakfast, and got ready for my 1st morning dive. Unfortunately, a storm rolled in, and I was trying to get my gear on in the...
Sailing and Scuba Diving in the Great Barrier Reef: Day 1
First off, I’d like to say - I might be new to scuba diving, but I’m already obsessed with it. Underwater is quite possibly the most magical place I’ve ever been, and scuba diving is the portal to that glorious, beautiful world. I really want to continue through the...
I Stayed on a Fancy Island Resort … for Six Hours
Remember that one time in Costa Rica where I booked three nights in a fancy 5-star resort because I was >this< close to having a mental breakdown? Bless my heart, I needed some sleep. Yep, that was a nice experience. Too bad I can’t afford that anymore. There’s...
My Guacamole Was Gone in 5 Minutes
When you’ve been a backpacker for this long, there are certain things that trickle out of your daily life. A normal, well-balanced diet is one of them. The amount of fast food, instant ramen noodles, and cookies I’ve consumed is embarrassing and shocking. Like...
Whitehaven – the Most Beautiful Beach I’ve Ever Seen
I booked a sailboat tour with Providence V, and I was super excited to explore the Whitsundays. The google searches are just stunning, and I was ready to see them with my own eyes. My shuttle picked me up at 7:00am, and delivered me to the harbor. I checked-in and was...
I Can Always Trust McDonald’s Wifi
Oh, look. Another day where I barely did anything. Woooooo! Here’s my problem — I spent the past three weeks procrastinating on a lot of things. But if I had to name one thing in particular, it would be this: New Zealand. I’m heading to New Zealand in a few weeks, and...
Checking Out Airlie Beach’s Open Air Market
I’m not sure if you know this, but Australia is hot. Like really hot. Like I’m pouring sweat by 10am. In all fairness, Texas is quite similar in temperature and humidity. However, Texas is far more advanced in the air conditioning department. I don’t understand...
I Paid $60 AUD for a Ferry
Ok, being upfront with you: I didn't really do anything exciting today. The thing is, Airlie Beach is actually quite expensive. Accommodation is about the only thing that's affordable out here. I'm surrounded by harbors which are really cool, but all of the...
The Only Plane on the Runway
There's no way around it - today would be a long travel day. Lots of movement and lots of details. By this point in my trip, I'm so tired of details. Like my gosh, I never want to think about shuttles to/from airports ever again. And because of this lazy relaxed...
Walking (and Sweating and Surfing) at Noosa National Park
The Brazilians and I learned from our mistake yesterday and headed out the door a lot earlier than yesterday. Even still, the Noosa National Park car park was full again. Luckily for us, a car was leaving as we pulled up. It really was just dumb luck. We swooped in...
Buying Ice Cream and Aloe Vera
If you're ever looking to vacation in Australia, might I suggest visiting Noosa? Cause it's really beautiful. Like really beautiful. Being from halfway around the world (you know, that place called America), I only hear about the main spots in Australia. Sydney,...
Going Where the Locals Go
Have I mentioned that I love a good road trip? Because - oooooh - I do. When my two hostel roommates told me that they were driving up to Noosa the same day I was planning to, we deemed it destiny. We decided to ride up together and book an Airbnb. Let me explain the...
Running Errands with the Goofballs
After skydiving the other day, I kept telling people at the hostel that they should do it. And several people actually listened to me and booked a jump. One of my roommates Julia was planning a jump for this morning. And like the great hostel family that we are, a...
Another Day of Surf and Sun
I mean, honestly - my life is so hard. I wake up, see if there's surf, and then go out surfing. Then maybe eat, take a nap, eat again, surf again... etc. Today was no different. I woke up and headed out to D'bah with some of the guys and Hannah (yay, another girl...
I Willingly Jumped out of a Plane
Back when I was in the 4th grade, I read a book called A Letter to Mrs. Roosevelt. To be honest, I don't remember much about the book. However, I do remember it sparking an obsession with Eleanor Roosevelt. I remember being so enthralled about her life after reading...
Finally Surfing in Australia
After having been in Australia for almost a month, the waves were decent enough to finally go out surfing! Woot woot! To be honest, if I would've known that the waves were going to be this flat, I would've surfed every day in Bali. But alas, it is what it is. And...
An Exciting Day of Grocery Shopping
It’s another day of flat waves here on the Gold Coast. So instead, I figured I probably should go to the grocery store and pick up a few things to cook. Going to the grocery store is aways an interesting experience while traveling abroad. But my goodness, it's so much...
Let’s Go to the Mall, Everybody!
I don’t understand how I can come to Australia in their summer and find that their surf conditions aren’t great. To this day, I still haven’t surfed while being in Australia. You know, the surf mecca of the world. Today the weather was forecasted to have unfavorable...
The Best and Worst Hostel
I woke up this morning thinking, “New year, new city.” Isn’t that how the saying goes? 😉 My time in Sydney was coming to a close, and it was time for me to begin packing up my stuff. I realized that Pat and Tim’s apartment is the longest place I’ve stayed at in 7...
The World’s Best NYE Firework Show
Spoiler alert: I cried a lot today. I’ve found the past couple of days to be really hard, and it’s difficult to know exactly why. I’ve loved my time in Sydney. So much about it feels like home. I mean, I’m staying in a comfortable home, I buy my own groceries, and I...
Walking Across the Sydney Harbour Bridge
Back when I was in Madrid, I met a girl who I hung out with for maybe 5 hours. Polly and I spent the time laughing about our various crazy travel stories that we’ve collected. It’s so hard to convey how quickly you connect with people while traveling. Turns out, Polly...
Loaded Nachos and The Last Jedi
Today consisted of two absolutely amazing things: loaded nachos and Star Wars. About 5 minutes away is a neighborhood grocery store called Woolworths. Lucky for me, it has this teeny tiny little section of Mexican food. Y’all. I could’ve bought everything on that...
Hiking Around the Blue Mountains
Here’s just how much research I did on Sydney tourism before I arrived: I didn’t know about the Blue Mountains. When I first came to Sydney, Tim asked me what my plans were while I’m here. I named off a few of the normal things - Sydney Harbour Bridge, The Opera...
Trying a New Beach in Sydney
You know what I find mind-blowing about living in Sydney? They have like 20 beaches at your disposal within a 1-hour driving radius. 10 of those are within 30 minutes from where I’m staying. I’m not used to this concept at all. This morning Pat, Tim, and I didn’t have...
What Does It Mean??
Today was round 2 of "What Does This Contemporary Art Piece Mean??" After doing a bit of research, I discovered that Sydney has a museum with a photography gallery. After visiting the photojournalism exhibit last week, I was really excited about viewing a full...
I’m Dreaming of a Kangaroo Christmas
Merry Christmas everyone! Granted, my posts are delayed by 7 days, and it's probably almost 2018 by now. Nonetheless, my merry wishes still stand! Today was a good day. I had a very merry Christmas. I went with Patrick and Arna out to the northwest of Sydney (a bit...
Getting in the Christmas Spirit on Christmas Eve
These past seven months, I've strived to keep things open and honest in the tales of my travel. And so staying with the honest policy, I must say: my Christmas Eve was really uneventful. I suppose being solo for this long has made me comfortable being alone. But when...
Walking the Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk
I love Sydney, I do. But the fact of the matter is -- Sydney is a normal city. That is to say, it's a really cool city, but with perfectly normal city things to do. If you're from a Westernized country, you're obviously not going to experience culture shock here. But...
Seeing Friends From Countries Past
Come with me on a journey -- waaaaay back to Scotland ... Though technically Edinburgh was only five months ago, it honestly feels like forever ago. It was in Edinburgh that...
Quick Little Trip to Newcastle
Sometimes it's nice to get away for a bit. Especially when you have a friend who has a car. One of my friends that surfed with me in Lombok lives in Sydney, and he offered to show me around Newcastle, a city 2 hours outside of Sydney. I'm always down for a little road...
Gloomy Weather and Gloomy Art
Today I decided that I would venture into the world of Sydney's contemporary art scene. If I'm being honest, I don't really like modern art. It often feels underwhelming, amateur, and confusing. I mean, shouldn't it at the very least feel impressive? ... or like a...
Day Trip to Manly Beach
Despite my incredibly slow start to the morning (I didn't leave the apartment until 1:30pm - yikes!), I was determined to enjoy the beautiful weather out at Manly Beach which included a walk to the train station, taking the train to the harbor, taking a ferry to Manly...
I’ll Always Find a Botanical Garden
Ever since I was little girl (no, not three days ago - though it sometimes feels like it), I've loved gardening. Seeing something that you've tenderly cared for and watching it bloom is a really satisfying feeling. I can still remember the horror of seeing my little...
Singing Christmas Carols While Wearing Shorts
Being in Sydney while leading up to Christmas has been an ... interesting experience. And by "interesting" I mean different. Just very different. Check out this magazine spread: It obviously is not to say that one is better than the other. I've actually quite enjoyed...
An Iconic Day at Bondi Beach
You know what's crazy? When you've seen something on Instagram for years, and then you see it in real life. It's happened on this trip time and time again, but it never gets old. Seeing something beautiful and iconic with your own eyes -- to be honest, it feels very...
Bringing the Free Walking Tour Back
I had every intention of going out surfing this morning. I woke up at 6am, threw on my swimsuit and day clothes, grabbed my pre-made breakfast smoothie, and headed out the door. And then I realized that it was actually quite cold outside. Like, preeeeetty cold....
“You’re Not From Here, Are Ya?”
I don't often get to sleep in a room by myself. Bouncing from hostel to hostel, I often share a room with somewhere between 4 to 16 other roommates. And though I've found ways to block out the noise (white noise apps or ear plugs), I still manage to wake up...
Meeting a 2 1/2 Year Pen Pal for the 1st Time
Once upon a time (2015), I met a guy named Patrick on Twitter. He was in the process of developing a travel app in Sydney while I was networking to become a travel writer. We somehow managed to start following each other on twitter, and we connected over our love for...