Australia: Macaron Day

Saturday, Nov. 6:  This morning the streets were literally flooding with rain.  We hung out until it dried up a bit and then went to Room 10 where we ate yummy sandwiches and free banana blueberry smoothies while talking about skydiving. 

Soon we walked though the beautiful botanic gardens to Sydney Harbour.  There was a lot of commotion around the Opera House and we found out they were setting up for the Australian Record Industry Association (ARIA) awards which would be held Sunday night.  Steph and I decided we would return here to witness this grand event.  We are so lucky we came this week!

We ventured through the Rocks market where I bought tea and a didgeridoo and boomerang made by aboriginals.  I cannot wait to learn how to play the didgeridoo! 

Didgeridoo

Ferry to Balmain

Then, following Room 10's suggestion, we caught the ferry to Balmain.  We had amazing views of the Sydney Harbour from the ferry.  Balmain is a cute, artsy suburb peninsula where we found Adriano Zumbo patisserie.  Zumbo is renowned for his creative genius when it comes to cakes, pastries, and macarons.  He has been featured on Australia's Masterchef TV show!!  We just happened to come on his birthday and the famous macaron day!  Totally serendipitous.  With unusual flavours such as Salted Butter Popcorn, Toothpaste, Vegemite Sourdough, Beer and Nuts, Blue Cheese and Burnt Toast, making a choice was no easy task. Flyers listing the various flavours were handed out so people had ample time to make a choice before stepping into the patisserie which was cleared of the usual desserts to make way for the mountains of macarons. 

We split ten different flavours and slowly indulged in them at a nearby cafe.  Our list in favourite order is:  Salted milk chocolate caramel, peanut butter and jelly, milo, coconut, yogurt chilli tangerine, blood and chocolate, cucumber mint yoghurt, burnt toast, strawberry bubblegum, and salmon. 

Adriano Zumbo Macarons

We got the ferry back and walked to the Sydney Centrepoint Tower.  We were hoping to go up to the bar at the top an because we heard there are spectacular views.  However although we were wearing nice dresses, the snobs wouldn't let us up because we were wearing flipflops.  Not cool.  So we decided to leave and chill at O'Malley's Irish Pub which was fun.

SKYDIVING in Australia

Friday Nov. 5:  One of the most epic days of my life.  It began with chai lattes and free cinnamon croissants at Room 10.  Our mood changed drastically from frustrated with our hostel to loving life in Room 10 simply due to the people around us.  People are so important because they can make or break the moment.  We walked around Kings Cross on a caffeine and life high before boarding the train to North Wollongong.

And what awaited us in North Wollongong?  SKYDIVING!!!!  We were lucky to get the perfect day - blue sky scattered with white puffy clouds.  We spent awhile preparing, learning the techniques, and meeting our tandem partners.  My super awesome partner was Andy.  Steph and I became pretty good friends with Ju-Yeon from Korea who was in our plane. 

Skydiving was sooooooo amazing.  It was not even close to as scary as bungy jumping.  The view from the plane was amazing, but I did get nervous the higher we got.  We got up to 14,000 feet (the highest skydive in Australia) before we tumbled out of the plane.  We free fell at over 200 km/hr for one minute and then opened the parachute at 5,000 feet when we were in line with the clouds.  It was crazy going from the greatest rush of adrenaline in my life to a beautiful five minute glide over a breathtaking view of the beach and mountains.  Seriously the greatest view I have ever had in my life.  We had a smooth landing and right away I knew I wanted to do this again.  Thanks Andy for flying with me!  Life is short.  Stunt it.

Our first day in the land down under

Wednesday, Nov. 3: Schools out for the summer!!!  Wednesday night Steph, Court, Cathy, Max, and I ate at Space of Love.  Again, I love this place.  We had amazing vegetarian mince pie, spirulina smoothies, hot chai, sweet and sour salad, and this crazy carrot dessert.  That night we said our goodbyes to Max, Lindsey, Jess, and Sarah :( ... then Steph, Cathy, Court and I hung out in my room, watched hot rod, and laughed so much.

Leaving beautiful NZ for Australia

Thursday, Nov 4: All of Steph and my crazy planning was somewhat complete as we headed to the airport 4 am Thursday morning.  Right away we got good vibes from the Aussie people.  However, we did hit a bump in the road when we arrived at our hostel in Kings Cross and they told us they overbooked.  They sent us to a different hostel called Kanga House Backpackers.  Worst travel experience of my life.  The hostel and reception was nice but the inmates were extremely rude and awful.  We hated going back there every night and couldn't get out of it without losing money.  But we did not allow this to ruin our trip because the rest of Australia was incredible.

After we dumped our bags into our room, we wandered the streets of Kings Cross and came across a cafe called Room 10.  This was one of the best choices ever because it became our haven after every night at Kanga House.  We had amazing banana bread as the guys told us about cool things to do in Sydney.

On our way to the grocery store, we passed by a table raising money for the para-olympics.  We almost didn't stop but we felt good vibes so we wandered over.  The two guys were super nice and we talked to them for so long about more things we can do in Sydney!

Sydney Opera House

Sydney Harbour Bridge

After that we walked to the Sydney Harbour where we found the Opera House and Harbour Bridge.  It was all so much more epic than I imagined or saw on TV!  We walked up to and inside the Opera House and then across the Bridge.  It began to torrential downpour on our way across the bridge so we caught a train back to Wooloomooloo.  Here we went to the famous Harry's Cafe de Wheels.  It is a caravan cafe that serves the best meat pies I have ever tasted ... and has served so many celebrities!

I never want to leave this dreamland

So many sleepovers!!  Cathy's host family is in Australia for ten days so Steph, Courtney, and I have been hanging out and sleeping over at the house.  It is so much fun and so nice to have a huge house to ourselves.  Steph and I sleep in the luxurious guest room.  The bed is heavenly!  We watch so much Jersey Shore and cook fabulous meals.  We have made exotic fish tacos, spring rolls, wantons, carrot and vegetable patties, pasta, and tons of cups of tea.  I have all of them addicted to black tea with milk now, I'm so proud!

Sunday Cathy, Steph, Courtney, and I kayaked down the Avon River.   After, we got coffee and sat in the grass along the river and talked.  It was a great way to start a Sunday!

Kayaking the Avon River

Last Monday night we had our IES final dinner.  We all dressed up and enjoyed a delicious three course meal on a moving tram through Christchurch.  I love IES! 

IES Family

It was so sad receiving all the parting documents titled "Goodbye New Zealand, Hello America."  I never want to leave this dreamland.  A few months ago I stepped onto New Zealand soil for the first time and so much has happened since then, more than I ever could have imagined, and I have grown and seen more than I can ever describe.  I had to adjust to new people, new accents, new classes, and new land.  I've worked out how to find the best deals for travel and accommodation, I've spent every weekend and holiday exploring the country.  I've made new friends, some whom I will be friends with forever.  We all come from different backgrounds and we all came to New Zealand for different reasons, but we have experienced it together and these people understand what I feel when I look over a bay from the top of Abel Tasman, find magical plankon in the water, stand at the top of the Nevis Bungy, drive the west coast in a campervan...  I am not the same person as the one who arrived here in June.  My knowledge has expanded, my attitudes have changed, my view of home, people, and issues have changed.  This truly is one of the greatest chapters of my life.  I think it is going to be more difficult returning home than arriving here.  I must prepare myself for reverse culture shock.  I know I will miss New Zealand intensely.  Instead of returning to my old life, I am going to view it as starting a new chapter of my life after NZ.  I can't just be content with my life.  I need to live my life by going on adventures and traveling and exploring and having fun constantly doing different things.  And I will get my friends to do it with me.  Everyone needs to study abroad.  The purpose of my life is to find beauty.  I find it every moment here in New Zealand and I my goal is to continue to find it where ever my future holds.

But I still have a few weeks left!  And Stephanie and I just booked our flights to Australia for October 4th through October 11th.  It is so hard planning a huge trip like this!  When we finally figured out the general plan, "We are the Champions" started playing and we both went crazy with excitement and belted out the song.  We are the champions of New Zealand, and soon to be Australia and the world.