Camp Catch-Up In Portsea

I have been keeping pretty busy exploring my close surroundings during the week and leaving the weekends time to adventure other areas around Melbourne. This past Friday night we had a camp dinner planned down by the beach, because one of our directors was in town for recruitment. It was a lovely meal and time for everyone to catch up while enjoying the sights along the beach. The restaurant was about 2 hours drive away, so our friend James, from camp, offered up his place to stay for the night, with plans to hit the beaches the next day!!

As my past beach adventures, the weather was not very cooperative and stayed overcast all day until we were about 30 mins. away from the beach... then the skies would open and crystal clear blue sky! Urghh! We tried to make the most of it and I still enjoyed walking along the beach and playing in the water (up to my ankles).

While walking along the beach, Eddie showed us the camp him and his family lived at for about 3 years! His dad was in charge and ran the camp when groups would come through. When we visited there was a camp currently in action so we couldn't walk through and see all the sights but we saw what we could from the road. What great views it had of the ocean, it's own beach access and a lovely reunion for Eddie! Now I call that camp!

 Hope everyone is doing well!! Speak soon and take care!! xoxo

The View From 88 Floors Up

G'day!
Sorry for being behind on these! They will become more regular, promise!

Last Thursday, the 20th, Eddie and I headed down into the city on a beautiful and sunny evening. We started our adventures by looking around the high end shops of the Crown Casino, located along the South bank in Melbourne. From there we enjoyed a lovely dinner on the 2nd floor, overlooking the walkway and river. Eddie had fish and chips and I had a personal Hawaiian pizza! The food has been really good so far. I have had some very Australian dishes such as meat pies, sausage roll, curry, sausages in bread, spaghetti bolognese, and not to mention the yummy Cadbury chocolate!

After dinner it was time to visit the Eureka Tower to see some spectacular sunset views of the city and ocean. You take the 30+ second elevator ride up to the 88th floor and then the views are breathtaking. We even arrived with just enough time to take pictures in the daylight all the way around the observation deck and then watch the sun set! It was a really nice evening and even got to watch a bit of the Australian Tennis from the sky as they were playing under the lights!

Haven't been able to make it personally to watch any of the tennis matches yet because each day the tickets get more and more expensive, especially now that we are into the semifinals. But, I have been watching regularly all the big matches!

Here are some great photos from the Eureka Tower visit:

Take care and look for more fun blog entries soon! xoxo

The Great Ocean Road [trip!]

Life has been wonderful so far in Australia with many fun adventures and great memories with friends. I feel settled and enjoying every minute of my time not at school, relaxing, meeting new people, and sight-seeing. Last weekend Eddie and I spent time with some of his friends and family in Bacchus Marsh and then on Sunday we had a lovely trip planned to TorquayBeach and then travel along the Great Ocean Road to another beach town called Lorne. We were all loaded up with sunscreen, hates, bathing suits, beach towels, but the closer we got to the beach, the more overcast it seemed to get! Just our luck! It was still nice to have a look around Torquay and we went on a little hike up to a cliffs top which had amazing views!

From there we hit the windy road which lead us to the iconic entrance of the Great Ocean Road. It begins around Anglesea and ends in Port Campbell. There were so many sharp twists and turns, anyone with a fast car would love it! The road was built right into the cliff side which led to some of the most amazing views, unfortunately it was a tight two-lane road where we couldn't stop to take photos. I did however, make up for it when we stopped at the fabulous little beach town of Lorne.

 The overcast weather wasn't going to get us down, even though it was still maybe 65-70 degrees out! Sat on the beach while eating fish and chips while watching everyone freeze in the water was quite entertaining! While walking along the water I found, sadly, a dead sea star which we took many photos with and Eddie also found it quite amusing to watch and take photos of my trying to stand and look happy while in the cold water! I thought it was supposed to be summer here! But, apparently since this water is directly from the ocean and doesn't have any way to keep it in, the water wont heat up till around March. Other beaches that are much shallower are very warm this part of summer. It was a wonderful day of exploring, walking around on the beach and taking fun photos! Also, on our way back we stopped at one of the Roads, many famous lighthouses, which gave us a little sneak peak as to what the 12 Apostles will be like. Can't wait to go and see them!

And sure enough when we got almost half way back to the city, the sun came out and the day turned hot hot hot! Oh well! Can only hope for better weather next time! Will write again soon! Take care! xoxo

Hammerheads, Rain & Mozzies, Oh My!

I am sorry it has taken me so long to post an update on here! For awhile I didn't have the internet access code on my computer and I really wanted to have posts with pictures, so now here we are. I have been settling in nicely, joined a gym for a trial period, learned how to use the trains into the city, and can even now navigate my way around the little town of Yarraville when I take Bruce, the dog, on a walk! I'm sure it has been all over the news back home about all the flooding in Queensland and New South Wales. Sadly, flooding is beginning to happen now in northern Victoria too. It's really sad. We had pouring down rain and muggy weather all last week. With all the rain it brought out the mozzies like crazy and they loved fresh American blood! I had so many bites but they are almost all gone now, thank goodness.

Last Tuesday, Eddie, his brother Ben and his girlfriend Ange, and myself all went into Melbourne to visit their large Aquarium, located right on the Yarra River. They had just in baby Hammerhead sharks which was quite a sight to see! We built up a big appetite looking at all the sea-life so we went to a local pub for dinner, and I thought it was only fitting to have fish and chips with a side of mushy peas!!! So good! I been staying busy and constantly meeting new people! I promise to update this more often! Take care and speak soon! :)

A preview of fun plans coming up:
- 2 day (1 night) camping trip to Halls Gap: beautiful mountains and waterfalls
- 2 day (1 night) to Phillip Island: home of the sunset Penguin Parade
- Sydney: to meet up with another student from school studying in Adelaide with me
- Twelve Apostles: roadtrip!

"Tasty" cheese

Hello from Australia!
My first post came to you from Seattle and now I'm sitting in Yarraville, Melbourne! I just checked the weather in Seattle, and it looks like a high of 50 and here it is supposed to hit a high of 89!

My flight was quite comfortable and I slept through almost every leg, especially the long 14 hour flight! I think I was stopped, checked, searched, and questioned at every available security spot possible. I even got pulled aside into a room at Sydney to answer questions about my student visa because apparently they had my middle name either wrong, or missing, I was never fully told. The best part of my journey was that Eddie was right at the gate waiting for me!! I was so happy to see him! :) After taking a nap, we got ready to hit the city with a dinner in Chinatown and drinks after with 8 friends from camp! It was a great way to start my new adventure!

I spent yesterday with my good friend Phoebe visiting a shopping center, meeting her family, spending time at the beach, and enjoying a nice dinner with two of her friends by the beach. While we were doing a quick shop (I bought a floppy hat for the beach!) we decided to get a Subway sandwich for lunch. Phoebe told me that it would do me no good asking for "American" cheese because they don't call it that, instead they call it "Tasty" cheese!!!!! I just about died laughing!!! I couldn't imagine ordering a cheeseburger and asking for "tasty" cheese! Too funny!! After that is was straight to a very lovely beach in a town called Rosebud. I could only stand to lay out for maybe 10 mins tops before heading back in the water to cool off!

I believe we are going to two BBQ's this weekend so I will take lots of photos and send more updates! It is off to get a mobile phone this evening. Still a bit jet-lagged but not as bad as I expected at all. Be looking for photos from the beach very soon and I can't wait to go again!! Speak again soon!! Off to skype with MUM!!! xoxo

Last few hours in America!

h

Last family dinner! xoxo

Hello!
This will be my first ever attempt at writing a blog and keeping a fun record of my travels through stories and pictures over the next 8 months while in Australia. We have been planning this trip for over a year now, and as I sit one last time in the kitchen staring at my packed bags in the hallway, I guess it is time to get the show on the road! My mum kept threatening to cancel as I refused to begin packing till about 3pm yesterday. Oops! I had a great deal of help from my good friend Alicia, from uni! Also, last night we all went and enjoyed a lovely dinner at the Purple Cafe in Bellevue. A great time with great company! I am departing Seattle around 3pm today and don't arrive until 9:15am on the 5th in Melbourne. Aww that is a lot of flying! Will write again soon! Must jet. I will miss everyone so so so much!
xoxo, Allie