I love Skrillex. A lot. When in Miami, we went to one of his shows at a hotel called Raleigh and he killed it. Best part, he was chillin in the cabanas before the show and we got to meet this little goblin. Hesssaaaagreaaaat.
Saturday, July 28, 2012
WAIT, MAIMI? AGAIN?
Back to Miami for music week and ultra music festival. One of the most fun trips I have ever been on. 7 days of DJ's, drinks, and sunny sunshine.
GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA
We traveled a fair bit. Went to Sydney and then the Gold Coast. This was one of our last days in the Gold Coast. We went on a tour and did some serious wine tasting.
AUSTRALIA...THERE YOU ARE!
Being away from Australia for almost 2 years was heart wrenching. After dating only a few months, Nick planned a trip with me to go back. Melbourne was our first stop, somewhere I did not get to see the first time around. Speechless. The great ocean road is by far one of my favorite wonders of Australia. That country seems to amaze me every time I go back.
GREEK ISLAND 3: SANTORINI
An all time favorite. Santorini was a classic Greek postcard. Beautiful buildings, cobble walkways, flowers everywhere.
A Santorini sunset. People sprinkled the building tops, it was amazing.
GREEK ISLAND 2: PAROS
Paros was a good switch after Mykonos...quiet, low key, cute. We lounged a lot, recovering from paradise island. Ate some amazing food, probably the only good food we had while in Greece. The restaurant was in a little enclosed patio surrounded by flowers and trees, my kind of place. Apparently, Tom Hanks wanders in there from time to time. Pretttyyy Cooool.
WHEN THE ITCH STARTS ITCHING...
After Australia, I could not sit still. Once I got home, I went back to work. Started saving heaps. And headed out again 6 months later to the Greek Islands. This was our first stop: Mykonos, one of the biggest party islands in the world. I concur. This picture is of the hotel we stayed at, which I loved. Mykonos was three days of drinking, bathers, and beaches. We made all the mistakes a typical american tourist would make: got too drunk, stayed out too late, got lost, climbed dirt mountains, disturbing naked old guy at 5 am, got a ride home from a random on a moped. Not cool.
WHEN 8 PEOPLE GO HOMELESS...
Initially, while in New Zealand we were supposed to be staying with Emily's friend, Alissa. Little did we know, after one night we would no longer be welcome. Maybe it was fact that there was 6 of us? Or because we stayed out till 4 am? Or maybe because we had to break into their house, after realizing they purposely locked us out. Anyway...it all worked out. Went to the store, bought some sleeping bags, a giant tent, some munchies...and hit the road. This is the result of 8 people living out of a mini van. Traveling the north island of New Zealand for a week with no plan and no place to stay. Sounds rough, but it was the best way to do it. We saw lots, bonded heaps, and had a fucking blast along the way. Good thing we love each other...minus Pat and his stinky feet.
ZORBING!
Before New Zealand, Zorbing did not exist (to me at least). You literally get to superman dive into this tiny hole to be trapped in a huge inflatable bubble, only to be tossed down a hill. It was an intense 45 seconds of giggle-mania. We were sloshing around like jellies in bathers and socks. SO FUCKING FUN.
AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND.
My last adventure while studying abroad took place in the northern island of New Zealand, where another piece of my heart was left.
BYE-BYE WHITSUNDAYS!
Living on a boat for a weekend, with no shower, no privacy, and a bunch of musty bunk-beds...you get to know each other.
A WHITSUNDAY SUNSET, IS A GOOD SUNSET.
But what happens after the sunset, that is truly unforgettable. The stars come out. But not just a few twinkles, here and there. The entire freaking sky is covered, horizon to horizon. The trip landed on a new moon phase, leaving no large moon to take away the sparkles of the stars.
SNORKELING THE WHITSUNDAYS.
Although, somewhat unattractive...these suits were protective shields against the beastly jelly fish roaming the Australian Ocean. Jellies are deadly down under, but we were prepared. This is in the Whitsunday Islands, which were dope. We went on a weekend sailing trip to snorkel, rest, snorkel, eat, and snorkel again. We saw jellies, beautiful reef, and some large-lipped fishes.
AIRLIE BEACH STOP OVER.
When you walk off of a airplane, onto a landing strip...only to view this. You know you're somewhere fucking awesome. Cheers!
BYRON BAY LIGHT HOUSE.
Oh, Byron Bay...you never seem to disappoint. After our Nimbin adventure...we hit up the light house for an amazing view of the sunset. Our girl trip was short lived, but what the hell, I love these guys.
NIMBIN'...WEED CAPITAL OF AUSTRALIA
Nimbin' was a groovy experience. This little town is about an hour drive from Byron bay so we decided to make a stop on the way...hoping to pick up some cookies, if ya know what I mean. Nimbin' is known as the weed capital of Australia and now I know why. It is a one road town, filled with hippie head shops and marijuana advertisements. In every store you can buy either a pipe, some hemp, and/or weed cookies, brownies, or nuggets. Which, is pretty awesome. Above is the Nimbin museum, one of the few attractions (if not the only attraction) worth seeing in little Nimbin. We did manage to leave with some disguised lighter holder mushroom necklaces, some fairy dragon eggs, and a batch of cookies.
BIRTHDAY HANGOVER CURE...
Birthday/Halloween in Byron was a success. This was my breakfast of choice. For most, a sight for sore eyes while struggling a hangover. For me, heaven. To add onto this rather expensive yet colorful fruit platter. I ordered a milkshake and eggs, which made my bill around $40 for breakfast. It was so worth it.
JEEP ADVENTURES.
Oliver Wadhams. He was an amazing friend throughout my time abroad. This picture was taken on our way to Byron Bay for my 20th birthday. Actually, after this shot was taken...I put my purse down (consuming $300, a camera, a phone, some credit cards, and my dorm keys...my life) and we drove off, me...not realizing. Finally five minutes later there was another photo op anddd it was nowhere to be found. Shocking, but not so shocking we drove back and it was still there. PHEW. Australians are amazing human beings.
LAKE WOBBY, WADDUPP!
So...another Fraiser Island group picture. I had to. Lake Wobby, although extra green and kind of creepy looking, was quite amazing. After an hour hike up a mountain and another 30 minute trudge through some serious sand dunes...we found Lake Wobby. Offering some good catfish diving and turtle gazing. I'm not sure the significance of the 11's being thrown up in this picture, but its gotta be something. I'm sure of it.
DUDE BRO, WE'RE ON FRAISER ISLAND!
I chose to start here, Australia. I went abroad to Australia while in my junior year of college. It was a dream I always dreamed. I made the leap on August 26, 2009 and completely and utterly fell in love. Of course, there was the shock of being completely alone, no family, no friends, and on the continent farthest from your hometown possible. But I had a funny feeling that it would all be worth it, and it was. Frasier Island (the picture above) was my first adventure upon arriving at Bond University (best freakin' uni, ever). Frasier was the first time I felt love for Australia and that is why this picture is oh so special to me. Driving through sand dunes as road ways, fighting off dingos, and swimming in pristine fresh water lakes....there was no way I could NOT fall in love with this continent. I felt it in my heart, mind, and stomach all at once. I was falling, slowly at first...and then all at once. Australia will always hold a huge part of me and my heart. 8 friends, a hundred memories.
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