Hello from Cairns!!!!
The weather here is unbelievably perfect, in the high 80′s every day and warm at night time. I’m in love with it so far! The first day we ventured out to the beach, a small beach town called Palm Cove. By the time we got there it was late afternoon and the sun was quickly setting so we weren’t able to stay very long cause it was so windy and chilly. We played in the ocean and laid on the beach for a few hours though which was nice. After it started getting cold we just walked around the town then went back on the bus to go back to our hostel in town.

Here’s a view of the beach when we walked out onto the dock for Fisherman

cutie sign in town

While in Cairns we also went snorkeling at the Great Barrier Reef! The pictures do not do the actual reef any justice! The reef was so pretty and it was huge once we got out there. We rented an underwater camera so that we were able to capture some pictures of the fish and coral. Also we were able to get some pictures of ourselves while underwater which is fun to do. The reef was such a fun day, but afterwards we were so tired out and a little bit sunburned. They were right, the sun is just stronger in Australia.

Kiki & I taking silly pictures of ourselves under water

So close to a whole school of these fish! They were huge.

Huge colorful clam

Hattie

Well, it’s about that time for mid-semester break! Going from trimesters (terms) to a semester and getting a two week mid-semester break, I’m in love with this style of schedule. I have had a great time so far with school and this week I’m so busy with finishing up all my papers and getting all my assignments turned in on time. My closest friend while abroad, Kiki and I took a study break and headed into the city to walk around the town and explore a little bit. Maybe a little bit of retail therapy as well We love going out into the city and people watching, trying new foods and finding new malls or shops. Getting out of Marsfield (where my school and condo are) is important to staying sane while I’m here. Its nice to get away from the small town, and get into a big city, outside of my comfort zone.

There are all kinds of boats taking people from The Harbor to various areas around the coast, this is one of them

Hattie

This week (Sept. 19) was a big day for a fellow American that I have met on my trip thus far! She is turning twenty one! Turning 21 in America is a big deal for most college students and friends. But, in Australia 18 is the official drinking age. The 21st birthday is a much different celebration here. Everyone’s 21st birthday is more of a celebration and a family, friends, co-workers party. They rent out big rooms in restaurants and invite everyone who has been an important part of their lives up until this point. These celebrations are more similar to a wedding reception because there are toasts to the birthday boy or girl, and dances. These celebrations are much different and sound like a much different approach to a 21st birthday celebration.

Our friends from Newcastle, a three hour train ride came down for the celebration and we got all dressed up and went out to a new bar in downtown Sydney. The bar was right on the harbor which is beautifully lit at night! Below is all of us before going out!

The Newcastle girls and us before we head out to The Harbor

Not the best picture but here is the Sydney Opera House all lit up at night! So pretty! For big occasions the lights which light up the Opera House are changed colors so that it looks various colors, not just white.

Hattie

After being here a little bit over a month I think that I am really getting a feel for the Aussie lifestyle. My life is much different here than it is at home, and I’m not complaining. School is in full swing and my classes are awesome. Being in health classes they often talk about America when talking about what other countries find in the area, the other day in a lecture my professor talked about Oregon specifically. Talking about our alternative lifestyles and our proactive approach to health. I’ve met some awesome people and have been having so much fun getting to know all of them. I seem to be meeting more Americans than Aussies, us study abroad kids tend to stick together. I found these pretty birds outside my condo one morning. They are such cuties.

They are so colorful, I can’t believe they live outside my window.

Hattie

In Circular Quay there are food markets that are a great way to learn about new restaurants in the area because every where has a small booth selling samples or meals. We went to Circular Quay on the perfect day this Sunday because there was also a huge event going on as well with bands playing in one of the central areas, with all the roads near shut down.

Best burgers in town!

Myself and two friends who I live with at the Opera House, a perfect view behind us

Hattie

After last weekend at the top of Westfield Tower I decided I would love to spend more time in Sydney. Because my school is actually in an outskirt city of Sydney (Marsfield) going into the city is more of a day task than just an hour or two. I went with some friends I met in my condos (The Village) and we decided that we should go hang out at Circular Quay for the day. It was the perfect day for it, the sun was out and the city was looking pretty as ever.

Here is a view of the Sydney Bridge

Hattie

This weekend we went to the top of the Westfield tower in Sydney. This is the tallest building in the country and let me tell you, its so high up. The views were awesome and we were able to see around it in a complete circle. It kind of reminded me of the Space Needle in Seattle, but the view down was much different, seeing the opera house and the Sydney Bridge.

Here’s a view from the top! This city is too pretty

Hattie

This week I spent with the CIS Abroad crew playing and doing all kinds of things in a small beach town called Newcastle. This town is adorable and I have met some pretty awesome people so far on my trip. We spent the beginning of the week in Sydney then took a bus up to Newcastle where we have been staying at a hostel that’s really close to the beach. So far we have done so much fun stuff out here. We went out into the middle of the desert, but really it was apart of the ocean and went sandboarding. It was so much fun, hiking up the hill got really tiring though. On the way up we got a huge tour of the town, which was surprisingly much bigger than I imagined it being.

This is a picture of our whole group on the way up to go Sandboarding

After a long day of sandboarding we were able to go have a BBQ at a petting zoo! I was most excited about going to the petting zoo. All kinds of animals were there like goats, sheep, camels and kangaroos. I loved the kangaroos even though they are a bit temperamental at times they are so soft! There was a huge area where they were just able to roam around and play as they wished, they were a big lazy like this lil’ guy and just lounged around most of the visit.

This lil’ kangaroo just lounging in the sun, posing for the camera

Me with a baby Kangaroo

Hattie