Latest Oz Update

Here are the latest happenings in Sydney:
Two weekends ago we attended a Sydney Rabbit's rugby game (yet another intimidating mascot!) with our American friend Zach and some of his friends. We had a mini tailgate before the game and we were the ONLY people doing so. Apparently (and very surprisingly) that's not a common pre-game festivity for Aussies.

Last week we had to say goodbye to our friend Nagesh. His contract work has ended here so he had to return to the states and we went out on Thurs and Sat night for his final send off. First, our Aussie friend Adam left for London and now Nagesh bid us farewell. Zach is looking at a job in England so he might be ditching us too. It's so sad to be losing some of our friends!

On Sunday our fabulous and favorite hostess, Kat, held a Mexican feast. And what a feast it was! She cooked up a storm, mixed some mean tequila drinks and everyone had great time as always.

My time in Australia will soon be coming to an end which is so hard to believe. Before I depart the land Down Under I'll be making a few trips which I'm quite excited about. My parents will be visiting for the month of July and I'll hang out with them in Sydney before they take off for Ayres Rock and Cairns. While they explore those areas (I've been to both before), I will visit Tasmania (where it will be freezing and most likely snowy) and then I'll visit my friend Claire in Perth before heading back to Melbourne to visit my old roommate Gen. From there I will meet my parents in Hamilton Island on the north east coast where it will actually be warm and sunny! I'm very much looking forward to that as the Whitsunday Islands were my absolute favorite part of Australia the last time I was here. It will be a great way to end my time in Oz: sitting on the beach, snorkelling, swimming, and relaxing. Pretty much how we started our adventure back in Fiji!

I will be flying back to the states in the beginning of August and will visit friends in LA for a few days before stopping in San Francisco to help my previous and future roommate Hayley celebrate her birthday. (#24 right, Hayley?) ;) My arrival date in ATL will be Aug 11th. Mark your calendars!

As far as Jen goes, her adventures will continue in Australia for as long as the government allows since she's not ready to leave just yet. With her visa she can legally stay here until Nov 1 so she will be here at least until then!

Here are the latest photos of fun:

K&J cheering on the Rabbits

Some tackling action between the Rabbits and Tigers. (The Rabbits won!)

The crowd rushing the field after the game

Jen showing off her football skills

K&J in a really big chair at the Ivy

With Nagesh at the Argyle on his last night in Australia

Jen at the Mexican Feast

Jen and Kat's pepper 'staches

Jen, Kat, Kaisa & me

Sydney Tour Guides

Another ATL visitor came to Sydney for a week, so once again we got to show off all the highlights of the awesome city we live in. It's so much fun to play tour guide!

Michael arrived on the 3rd (at 6AM!) and that afternoon we took him to an Aussie rules football game. This game is like nothing we have in the states. They have completely different rules from American football yet there is still tackling and intense impact but NO padding or helmets!! These guys are just plain animals! (Even though Sydney's team mascot is the Swan... could there be a less intimidating mascot?!)

On Monday we went to a few of the iconic landmarks of Sydney. We started at Darling Harbour, then took a ferry to see the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge. Even though I've seen the Opera House a million times, it's still so cool to look at it from all the different angles and in the day vs. evening when it's all lit up with spotlights. C'est magnifique!

On Tuesday we went out for Mexican to celebrate Cinco de Mayo w/ our American friends Nagesh and Zach, but it's just not the same here. Hardly any locals have a clue what the day is about or why there is a huge need to consume nachos, burritos and margaritas!

On Wednesday we explored the Royal Botanic Gardens, Thursday we went to Coogee Beach and took a 3-hour picturesque stroll along the coast and ended up in Bondi Beach. Part of the walk was closed off and instead of walking along an alternate path, we decided to be adventurous and scale the rocks. We only got a little wet and a few scrapes from the adventure...

On Friday we went to a contemporary art museum and then headed off to the casino. (No gambling for me, though! I need to keep my money for more travels...) On Saturday afternoon we jumped on another ferry and enjoyed the perfect weather as we toured around a few different spots along the harbour. We got off the boat at Watsons Bay and had some fish & chips and a few pints on a rooftop deck with an awesome view. There were tons of sail boats out so that only added to the beautiful scenery of a nice, relaxing Saturday afternoon.

Fall is certainly here, but we are still lucky enough to see 70 degrees a few days a week. Too bad it's getting dark at 5PM! It's kind of surreal to know it's May when it's getting cold and dark out. Our apt doesn't have heat so we bundle up in the evenings and pretend we have a fire place to keep us warm. Unfortunately it doesn't usually work.

Enjoy the photos from my new camera!

Aussie rules footy- Sydney Swans vs. Richmond Tigers

Kat & Jen at the game

Michael & me at the game

Me on a ferry in the harbour

Margaritas on Cinco de Mayo!

Limes post tequila shot w/ Zach

Michael getting attacked by the waves

A beautiful cemetery by the ocean

Fishermen on the rocks

Friday night at Fringe Bar

Sailboats on the harbour

Sunset at Watson's Bay

The Opera House w/ the moon in the background