"...than face all the ages of this world alone." ~Arwen

Ladiezzz and gentlefolk...

I've never blogged on paper before. At the time I actually wrote this, it was on paper. Is on paper. (Though when you read it, it won't be...) Regardless, in its original form, these words were on paper. It seems somewhat sacrilege  as if writing this way, intended for a more recent invention is wrong somehow. However, I've the time now and not the laptop, so I'll work with what I've got. Back to the 90's when everything I wrote was on paper...

People here (natives and visitors alike) refer to this place as “Oz.” I think it's cute, but I think of Oz as in “The land of,” so I get confused. Therefore, I've compromised by calling it "Auz." Where there are not lions and tigers and bears, oh my, there are crocodiles and poisonous snakes, and spiders, oh my! I left this "little" guy alone after a few photos. He was huge and made me nervous, even though he was chilling in his web. I didn't bug him!!

The message it seems I'm getting from Auz at this point in my travels is this: if everyone tells you to bring half of what you pack, you must also bring double the funds.

When I travel again, alone (it's bound to happen, I can't always have buddies to travel with), I'll remember myself in Cairns, Auz, without money to do all of the possible excursions here. There are heaps of things to do. But it all costs money. Hiking, to anywhere worth hiking, is severely limited directly from Cairns.

The reef, which, let's be honest, is the main attraction to this beach-less city, is in fact amazing. Cairns, on the other hand, well, let's just say that everyone here is hammered a significant amount of time. Another town I've visited that I don't feel I belong in. But I took the train, and that was an enjoyable journey. I liked seeing the countryside. Many farms... sugarcane and whatnot... but a few mountains too. 

After a few hours of dramatic depression from Cairns, angry journal writing, and emails to my parents (a.k.a. The people who's advice I trust most in the world), I sat down and figured out how to best spend my time here, without blowing through heaps of money I don't have. A day on the reef was mandatory. I spent the first day exploring downtown Cairns until I got hot, and then I found a cool place to read a book.

The day I spent on the reef was spectacular. Surprisingly, I got a bit seasick. Apparently medium sized boats are not friendly to me. Regardless, I enjoyed snorkeling  Skipped the actual diving, but it was gorgeous. The coral was colorful and the fish were beautiful. It wasn't quite as brilliant and vibrant as I expected, but it was still amazing. I bought a cheap disposable waterproof camera, and took a few photos. I've got more for Hawaii, so hopefully I'll get to do some snorkeling there.

I spent my third day in Cairns with koalas again. On top of the casino is a dome with a little zoo. Even though they only have a few koalas, I enjoyed sitting with them. Also, I got to see sugar gliders! They're little creatures I've only seen photos of, and almost thought were a rumor. But they're real! And so adorable. I could hardly stand it. 

Plus, I got to see a crocodile  I got there just in time to be fed, which was perfect, because before and after that, he just lay, motionless. When I first saw him, he was so still I thought he was fake. When his jaws closed on his lunch, the power was massive and terrifying.

One piece of exceedingly good luck, was that I met a girl from Scotland, and she helped organize a trip to Cape Tribulation. We found a few companions to travel with, and a trip that would have cost $150 with a tour group cost each of us $31.

It was quite a fun trip. The beaches were lovely, though you can't swim. It's jellyfish season. The kind of jellies that can kill you. I've heard that when you're stung by these jellies (that aren't even very large), it feels like your rib cage is closing in on you, and you're in crazy pain for three days. It was sad not to be able to swim, when it was so pretty.

However, even if it hadn't been jellyfish season, there are crocodiles  Though they typically stay in the estuaries, they sometimes come onto the beaches, so swimming isn't really recommended  It was a bit disconcerting to come out to the beach and see crocodile warning signs everywhere.

When I left, I walked to the airport. Airports are not very user friendly when it comes to walkers... and as I crossed over a river and saw the caution sign for crocs, I'm embarrassed to say that I was grateful to be leaving.

Before Cairns, I was in the Gold Coast. I spent just over a week there. The amazing friends of my mother's that I'm staying with took me on a day trip to the Sunshine Coast, and one to Byron Bay.

I also spent a day exploring Brisbane, and happily walked into a market with a lady selling buttons she made herself, and many other fun booths. I also ran into a garage sale of sorts. Comprised of people, blankets, and contents of suitcases, it resembled a multi-family yard sale, and they called it a “suitcase rummage.” On a downtown “square” of Brisbane. I was elated to have found it. Though I didn't buy anything, I was excited to see it. What a fun idea!

Downtown Brisbane is basically a sea of tourist shops. The ferry that goes up and down the river is exceedingly cool though, and I enjoyed it immensely. I got on just as the sun was setting, and the views were lovely. 

Most people don't think Brisbane is particularly cool, but I think it is. The downtown library is sleek and modern looking, and the museums are free, which always cheers me up. I went to the museum of modern art, and wandered around for a bit. They had a few interesting exhibits... but it was quite small, and under construction.

So far, I don't think having to pay for anything makes me love or appreciate it any more. In fact, sometimes I appreciate the things I didn't pay for more. For example, the views of the city at night. They were so spectacular, and I so enjoyed playing with my camera. And it was for free! Interestingly enough, the lit up building below used to be the government's treasury building. Now... it's a casino.

I also enjoyed playing with the sun. I didn't look through the lens though, don't worry. I did think the Ferris Wheel was quite fantastic, though I didn't go on it.

Yeah, okay, actually I just thought it was a really cool thing to take photos of. I so enjoyed it. Thank goodness for entertainment with cameras, even ones that are less than fantastic!

I also spent a day at the Lone Pine Koala sanctuary. Inhabited by more than 130 koalas, I think I found heaven. And let me tell you, it's here, just outside of Brisbane, among these amazing, adorable, precious and cuddly creatures. I spent the whole day sitting and watching them. I got to see them fed as well, which was incredible cute. They all gradually awoke, and their eyes followed their arriving food with amazing concentration. 

They also had a few babies, and I was so happy I spent so much time there, because I got to see a little baby crawl out from under the mommy and onto her back. Until that point, the baby remained hidden.

I spent a few days on the beaches as well. Surfer's Paradise was built up as everyone said... but so was Byron Bay... as everyone did not say. 

Byron Bay was cute, but I'd say most of the appeal is to go see the farthest Eastern point on mainland Australia. There's a cute lighthouse, and the wind is crazy, just like on the Northernmost point of New Zealand... and the Easternmost point of New Zealand... and the Northernmost point/ tip of Borneo...

I went on a few short walks around a place called Springbrook, where there's a pretty waterfall. There are supposed to be many spectacular views, but it was a hazy day, so the views were covered by mist and fog. I did, however, get to see a wallaby crossing the street! It did not look both ways... it just hopped across. It was so cute! The kangaroos at the zoos are lazy are motionless because they get food whether or not they move since everyone feeds them. So it was exciting to see a wallaby hopping around. Apparently they don't like direct sunlight, so it was good that it was a hazy day.

On the same trip, I also got to see a natural bridge. Formed by water and volcanic activity, the underside of it is now inhabited by glow worms! It's quite a cool place though, almost a cave with a waterfall into it, and a lake.

On my last day, the one I spent at Surfer's Paradise, I was happily greeted by a rainbow. I only ambled onto the beach one last time before I left to say goodbye. It started out hazy (I have those photos too!), and then it got more clear, and more brilliant. I think maybe it was one of the most amazing rainbows I've ever seen. If you look carefully, you can see just a twinge of a double rainbow to the right.

And as I say goodbye to Auz, here's why Sydney's airport stinks.

Or if you prefer, why the Atlanta airport is better than the Sydney airport.

1. While Atlanta doesn't have locks to bathrooms automatic (not even China and Japan do, so lay off), everything else is. Sydney? They're still in the 90's with sinks that you turn on, soap that you push down on, and a hand drier that you press to turn on. Thank god for hand sanitizer from all of the things I had to touch to clean my hands.
2. The airlines are set up really badly. It's alphabetical, but there's nothing that tells you that. In Atlanta, they're all lined up, so you just look for your airline. In Sydney, they're in little enclave type things, so you can't even tell which airline is next to you.
3. In Atlanta, there's a nice little train to take you from terminals to baggage claim. Or from domestic terminals to international terminals. Or from one end of the airport to the other. Anywhere you need to go. It's free, because it's all the Atlanta airport. No sense charging people when they just need to travel within the airport. Sydney? Nope. None of that courtesy. You want to get from the domestic to the international terminal? You get to take a bus because there aren't signs and you get to pay. $5.50. FIVE DOLLARS AND FIFTY CENTS. I could have eaten dinner for that! Sydney. STEP. IT. UP. I can't wait to get back to Atlanta.

I'm in Hawaii now. It was strange getting on my flight to Honolulu from Sydney at 6 pm on December 13^th, and arriving in Honolulu at 6 am on December 13^th. I know I've gained a day, but I'm still anxious to get home. If you wouldn't mind crossing your fingers or sending some positive vibes my way, I'm exploring some strange new possibilities while I'm here to save some cash. Hoping it all goes smoothly!

Talk to many of you... in person... so soon...
Thank you for reading, and aloha!