Friday, July 04, 2008
First few days in Oz!
Day 1 and 2 - July 1/2 + 3
The disappearing day. Recap: 1.5h from Edmonton to Vancouver, 15h from Vancouver to Syndey, 8.5h via Greyhound bus from Syndey to Port Macquarie.
Highlights: Ashlie and I made friends on both our flights. Shout out to Winston and Chantelle! Anne slept, the rest didn't. The bus ride was actually really fun... We made friends with our bus drivers, Lindsay and Peter. We sang, we ate (Subway), we slept, we stared at the stars, and went through a tonne of round abouts. Weee!! Except for the time the driver ploughed THROUGH the roundabout sign. Talk about scratched up window!! We showered and we slept soundly. Life is good.
Day 2 - July 4
Port Macquarie: We got up and putzed around a bit. Saw the ocean, some of us for the first time. Damien re-injured Anne... She's okay but I'm thinking we need to start a club or something. We walked along the walkway, lined with painted rocks, mostly commemorating a trip, a moment, a friend. Nice! We then wandered to the koala hospital. So cute and cuddly looking. Then back on the bus to Coffs Harbour ~4h away.
Coffs Harbour: Got settled in, went grocery shopping and made supper of champions - pasta and salad! Carlos and Damien went for a run in the rain. We hung out for a bit and then Ashlie, Katherine and Carlos headed out to check out the local pub scene. The rest of us chillaxed. A good day all around.
Day 3 - July 5
Coffs Harbour: Damien, Kathleen, Anne and I went sea kayaking and surf riding this morning. Righteous!! Rafting was great, especially when Anne and I can't figure out our rights from our lefts and totally help out in capsizing our raft. It's kinda like whitewater rafting except on ocean waves instead of river water. I think we all got water logged and someone sat on my head but it was all good! What I really loved was the kayaking. Now that's a way to ride in and out of a wave. Good times were had by all, despite Anne not seeing a dolphin. She tried her Flipper call, but to no avail.
The rest of the crew was supposed to go whale watching today. Haven't seen them yet but I'll keep you posted.
Tonight, we go to mass, then we dine on soup and sandwiches and then we are going out for a little Australian night life.
We are enjoying hostel living. No worries!
The disappearing day. Recap: 1.5h from Edmonton to Vancouver, 15h from Vancouver to Syndey, 8.5h via Greyhound bus from Syndey to Port Macquarie.
Highlights: Ashlie and I made friends on both our flights. Shout out to Winston and Chantelle! Anne slept, the rest didn't. The bus ride was actually really fun... We made friends with our bus drivers, Lindsay and Peter. We sang, we ate (Subway), we slept, we stared at the stars, and went through a tonne of round abouts. Weee!! Except for the time the driver ploughed THROUGH the roundabout sign. Talk about scratched up window!! We showered and we slept soundly. Life is good.
Day 2 - July 4
Port Macquarie: We got up and putzed around a bit. Saw the ocean, some of us for the first time. Damien re-injured Anne... She's okay but I'm thinking we need to start a club or something. We walked along the walkway, lined with painted rocks, mostly commemorating a trip, a moment, a friend. Nice! We then wandered to the koala hospital. So cute and cuddly looking. Then back on the bus to Coffs Harbour ~4h away.
Coffs Harbour: Got settled in, went grocery shopping and made supper of champions - pasta and salad! Carlos and Damien went for a run in the rain. We hung out for a bit and then Ashlie, Katherine and Carlos headed out to check out the local pub scene. The rest of us chillaxed. A good day all around.
Day 3 - July 5
Coffs Harbour: Damien, Kathleen, Anne and I went sea kayaking and surf riding this morning. Righteous!! Rafting was great, especially when Anne and I can't figure out our rights from our lefts and totally help out in capsizing our raft. It's kinda like whitewater rafting except on ocean waves instead of river water. I think we all got water logged and someone sat on my head but it was all good! What I really loved was the kayaking. Now that's a way to ride in and out of a wave. Good times were had by all, despite Anne not seeing a dolphin. She tried her Flipper call, but to no avail.
The rest of the crew was supposed to go whale watching today. Haven't seen them yet but I'll keep you posted.
Tonight, we go to mass, then we dine on soup and sandwiches and then we are going out for a little Australian night life.
We are enjoying hostel living. No worries!
# posted by Chantal @ 10:39 p.m. 
