BULA! FIJI!

Fiji was beyond amazing. I met so many cool backpackers with awesome stories in the past week. It’s safe to say I now have the travel fever! I will definitely be going back to Fiji the next time I go traveling.

Day One - Easter Sunday!

            Allie and I woke up at 2:30 am to prepare for our 6:45 am flight to Nadi, Fiji! We got a taxi to the Brisbane airport at 3 am and began our lovely day of traveling. We landed in Sydney at 8:15 am and hung out in the airport for our five-hour layover. I Face Timed my parents and told them Happy Easter and got some of my stuff in order for the next week. Once we boarded the flight to Nadi, Allie and I started to get very excited! Unfortunately by the time Allie and I landed in Nadi it was 7:15 local time and it was very dark.

            Once we arrived to our hostel, Allie and I got settled in and then headed next door to a hotel to have dinner. Unfortunately it took almost 90 minutes for us to finally get our food. The fish and chips I ordered were yummy, but they weren’t worth the wait or the price. After dinner we just came back to the hostel and passed out for the night.

Day Two - Monday

            Our first full day in Fiji was definitely an adventure! Allie and I got up early to go to the nearest grocery store to buy some staples for the week. On our way there a taxi stopped us and asked us if we wanted a ride for 3 dollars. Getting in that taxi was the best decision we made! Kris, our taxi driver, ended up being our unofficial tour guide for the week!

            On Monday he took us to a spot in Fiji where on a clear day, you can see as many as 21 of the islands surrounding Fiji. On that day there were a few clouds and it was a little bit hazy so Allie and I could only see about 12 or 13 of the islands. It was still an incredibly breathtaking view.

            We then headed down to the First Landing Village. This is the place where the natives first came to Fiji. We were able to go on a historical tour of the village and I learned quite a few interesting things about the native Fijians. They were cannibals and very violent. The used tools called ‘neck-breakers’ and ‘eye gouges’ to kill people when it was dinner time, and it didn’t matter if you were a mother or cousin you could be the main dish.

The 'neck-breaker' weapon

            Christian missionaries were the ones to convert the Fijians to a less violent way of life. There is a plaque in the church in honor of the first Christian missionary to ever visit Fiji.  He was chased into the mountains and killed by the villagers so all that was left was his jacket.  The villagers realized what he had come there to do and made a plaque out of the buttons off of his jacket. Now the people that live in the villages are very nice and have strong Christian faith.

            After the village tour we headed to the Sleeping Giant Botanical Garden where there were over 200 different types of orchids. Allie and I went on a twenty-minute walk through so many beautiful flowers and foliage. Once we returned from the walk they gave us complementary fruity drinks. So yummy!

            Kris then took us grocery shopping. We went to a local super market and a fresh fruit and vegetable stand. Once we got all of our groceries Kris dropped us off back at the hostel just after noon. For the rest of the day Allie and I took a much-needed nap on the beach.

Day Three – Tuesday

            Allie and I woke up bright an early to begin our day with Kris! Our first stop was a booking office to plan an island day trip to Beachcomber Island the next day.  We went into the town of Nadi to bargain our way to an inexpensive island day trip.

            Once we left town, Kris drove us to the natural hot springs and mud bath! We sank down into a warm pond with yucky warm mud that came up to mid thigh. Susu caked mud onto our faces like a facial and then we got out of the water and covered ourselves in more warm mud. Then we hung out in the sun and waited for the mud to dry and crack on our skin. Once the mud was all dry we rinsed off and we submerged ourselves in the thermal pool. Allie and I then decided to splurge on a Fijian massage, which was AWESOME. Once we got to the hostel that afternoon we once again spent the afternoon sleeping on the beach.  

Day Four – Wednesday

            We got up bright and early for our day trip to Beachcombers Island! I was very excited to go somewhere touristy for the day. We left for the island just after 9 am and we reached the island after 10 am. The water as we moved away from the main island became brighter and brighter blue. Once we arrived Allie and I had morning tea and then we napped on the beach until lunchtime.

            For lunch we had an amazing authentic Fijian meal with vegetable curry and beef and chicken. Everything was delicious as well as the lemon custard shortbread dessert! We ate until we were uncomfortable full. I actually thought I was going to pop!

            Once lunch was finished we headed out for a snorkeling trip on the reef. Before we hopped into the water we were feeding the fish with bread. They were going crazy!  Then we got all geared up and jumped in the water. I had forgotten how much I missed snorkeling and diving. Allie and I were having the time of our lives in the water. So many beautiful fish and coral were everywhere. We ended up being the last two to make it back into the boat to head to the island again.

            We finished the day by falling asleep on the beach once again and then we jumped on the boat to head back to Nadi on the main island. Traveling to Beachcombers island was such a relaxing, touristy day that I definitely needed. I LOVE FIJI.

Day Five – Thursday

            We woke up very early this morning to go down to the beach and go fishing with Kris our taxi driver. He had a 50-meter net with two tall bamboo sticks on each end that we would hold and walk out into waist deep water to catch the fish. We would then drag the net onto the beach against the current and pick up all the fish we caught.

            We headed to Kris’ house to make lunch with his family afterwards. We watched Kris and his friend clean the fish and shave a fresh coconut. He let us try the coconut fresh and it was the best thing I had ever tasted. His wife made a coconut milk curry sauce for the fish and a regular curry sauce for the chicken. Kris also fried some of the fish to resemble fried chicken. Except the fish had the heads on them so I was a little weary of eating it. The food all tasted very good but it didn’t sit well with neither Allie nor me. 

We headed into town later to buy a little time on the Internet at the Internet café so check emails and contact family. We then headed to an Americanized lunch place and I ordered a delicious chocolate milkshake and Allie got a huge fruity slushy. It was such a perfect ending to the day.

           

Day Five – Friday

            5 am wake up to catch a 6 am taxi to the airport.  I had my first really coffee in a week and it was wonderful. The flight was short and sweet back to Brisbane because Allie and I had our own exit row isles to ourselves! Once we landed we headed to our lovely home on Ninth Ave. It feels good to be back at home! 

What Happens at South Banks

Now that some of the excitement of living in Australia has begun to wear off (though not really, because I mean, IT’S AUSTRALIA!) I have settled into a routine every week. Classes all day Monday through Wednesday wear me out and by the time Thursday rolls around I cannot drag myself out of by at my normal 7 am time. So one day I decided to have a ‘me day’ where all I focused on was some serious R&R.

            I took an early afternoon ferry ride to South Banks to relax for the afternoon. Most of the day was spent sleeping on the artificial beach and soaking up some much needed sunshine. South Banks is such a relaxing place to be on an afternoon when there is nothing I need to get done. I spent the late afternoon walking around the shops and I stopped for a delicious steak sandwich and a Fat Yak (a really good pale ale) at the Plough Inn. I really like this bar and I hope to go back one night when its packed and they have live music! Of course a trip to South Banks is not completely without stopping at the lolly shoppe (candy store). I promptly spent a nice chunk of change on different types of chocolate that barely lasted my ferry trip home. Sometimes I just need to give into my chocolaty cravings, I am a woman after all. That day ended up being exactly what I needed.

            Allie’s birthday was on March 27^th that was the evening of the Quest mid-semester party, so I decided to throw her a surprise BBQ! Christian and I planned all week to make sure the surprise came off without a hitch. This was the first surprise I have ever attempted and I wanted it to be perfect for Allie. On the day of her birthday, Allie and I left the house around 5 and we went on a round about way to South Banks where the BBQ was being held. Once we got closer to the BBQ spot, I blind folded Allie and held her arm as we walked up. When she took off her blindfold our awesome group of friends was there and they all yelled SURPRISE! Christian and Hyunjin had baked Allie a lactose and gluten free DELICIOUS chocolate cake, so of course we all ate that first. Then we grilled out and prepared for the Quest party later that evening. Brian had the best surprise because he reunited Allie with her dear old friend Captain Morgan. It was a great night.

            The theme of the mid-semester party was Ladies and Lady-boys night. The girls all got drink specials and so did the guys… if they dressed up like women. Our group friends really got into the theme and Christian even borrow one of my dresses. He looked so cute! We had an awesome fun time dancing and goofing off. I think the guys really liked acting like girls for an evening… maybe a little too much!

            Friday, before I left for Fiji, Brian and I spent the afternoon hanging out at South Banks enjoying the afternoon sun. We had lunch at this awesome Mexican restaurant and I had forgotten how much I missed good ol chipotle back home!  That evening I went back to South Banks with another friend of mine and we walked all around the South Banks and Queen Street Mall area and I learned a lot more about some of the stuff I would love to do in this city.

            Saturday was spent hanging out with the Loxton’s in Ferny Grove (a suburb of Brisbane) where I had an awesome nap. Sometimes it’s nice to get away from city life and hangout in a family home settling. I am lucky to have them here so close and willing to adopt me as an honorary niece! Beth and Steve even gave me a chocolate bunny in celebration of Easter Sunday. I love them!

Byron Bay

I think it might be impossible to not fall in love with the culture and people of Australia. I do not remember the last time I felt this free and uninhibited in my life. The past three and a half weeks have been beyond anything of my wildest dreams and I cannot wait for to see what the next four months have in store for me, I just hope the time doesn’t pass too quickly.

            The first week of classes at UQ passed in a blur for me but everything seems pretty interesting and exciting! I had originally signed up for an Imperial Rome history course, but after about ten minutes into the first lecture I realized I was way over my head. The prof used many Latin words interchangeably with English and many of the students were nodding along and keep up with the prof easily. That class was definitely a higher-level history class and I got out of it as quickly as possible. Instead I will be taking Medieval History and there are actually a few students from my USC that are in my lecture as well, so at least I know I’ll be able to have more success in this class!

            The first weekend after classes I had a pretty quiet weekend in, well sort of. Friday night Allie, Christian and I went out to dinner with Christian’s friend Hyunjin and her roommate Alicia. We went to this AWESOME Asian bistro place in Fortitude Valley, aka the Valley, and then we headed out for a few drinks afterwards. We stopped at this cool bar called Our Place where they made drinks and served them in teapots! We had a nice relaxing Friday night thankfully.

Drinking out of teapots at Our Place!

            Saturday Mr. Loxton, I mean Steve, took me to an indoor rock-climbing place in the Valley called Rock Sports. We had an awesome time climbing and it was such a workout! I was sore for at least three days after. I sent in an application for a job so hopefully they will contact me soon.

            Last week was the first full schedule of classes with all the tutorials and practicals along with the lectures. Tutorials are basically discussion sections so I have one for Medieval History and one for Philosophy. Practicals are similar to labs and they are required for my Environmental Management class and my Palaeoceanography class.  My tut for Philosophy turned out to be very interesting, there were about twenty of us and the prof went around the room and asked up questions like, “Do you think we are dreaming in reality or are we awake?” Hearing what other students answered and how they defended their answers was intriguing and I really am opening up to this subject!

            Quest, the international club that I will probably mention in every single blog for the next four months, had their weekly pub night at the Bowls Club. This club is like an outdoor country club type place with wonderful drink specials. I went with Brian from California and Davide from Switzerland and we met with a lot of new people in Quest. It was a great night!

BYRON BAY
            

Friday morning I began the best 48 hours I have spent so far here in Australia. Quest hosted a trip to Byron Bay, about two hours south of Brisbane, and we had the time of our lives! We left Friday morning at 11 am and arrived in Byron around 2 pm. The time change was a little off because Brisbane is in Queensland and Byron Bay is in New South Whales.
We arrived at our hostel called the Backpacker’s Inn and settled in for the weekend. I stayed in a four bedroom with Allie, Hyunjin and Lauren (who is also from Canada, they are everywhere over here I guess!). Once we got all situated our group went immediately in search of food.

            For the weekend I had a great ‘crew’ that consisted of three Americans, five Canadians and a German. I could not have found a better group to spend the weekend with.

Our room at the Backpacker's Inn

            After eating some really wonderful burgers we headed straight to the beach. Unfortunately, it was cloudy most of Friday but the sun peaked out a few times during the afternoon. Rain or shine, I was going swimming immediately and I did! The water was chilly but there were tons of surfers everywhere I looked. Byron bay is a huge surf destination because high and low tide cycle through almost twice a day. It was really cool hanging out and watching the surfers!

            Phil, from Canada, is in the Australian Football League (AFL) club with my roommate Christian and he brought along an AFL ball. They are closer in size to a rugby ball than an American football. We tossed that around on the beach for a while and I began to get a hang of the sport, well of course after I got hit in the face once or twice. This should come as no surprise to anyone that knows me back home; I am a magnet for the odd injury here and there.

            After the beach we went to a BBQ back at the hostel, oh and by the way our hostel was less than 100m from the beach. AWESOME. Cheeky Monkey’s was the name of the local pub we all went to that evening. Everyone was standing on big picnic type tables dancing and the locals were so friendly! On more than one occasion as I would walk by a table one of my guy friends would grab me under the arms and lift me up on the table to dance with everyone. Needless to say we all had a great time.

Saturday was an all day beach day. We all rented surfboards for the afternoon and decided we would give it a go. It’s a lot harder than those Australian guys make it look. A few times I was able to get in a half way standing/kneeling position before I would topple over. I didn’t mind too much because at least I tried!

The current was a lot stronger than I thought it was. Allie and I ended up being pulled out by a rip tide. I spent the next ten minutes feeling as if I was fighting for my life, and I was. The surfboard was still tied to my ankle but I couldn’t get a hold on it because of how strong the waves were hitting me and pulling me under. The waves were relentlessly coming one after another! At what felt like the brink of exhaustion I cried out for help from a nearby surfer. Thankfully he came to my aide and helped me onto my board so I could ride a wave back in. The wave I ended up catching felt like it must have been 5 m tall (15 feet) and I was terrified. The wave took me all the way into the beach and I collapsed in the sand for a few minutes trying to regain some morsel of composer. I looked back into the surf to wave to my guardian angle but I couldn’t find him anywhere. Looking back, I get chills and I thank God for that nice man who helped me. I was done surfing for the day after that.

Lauren and I went for a long walk down the beach and talked about everything from boys to religion. Being in Australia with all these new and interesting people have opened my perspective. I can feel myself already changing and learning from all the wonderful people I have surrounded myself with.

Unfortunately, Australia is known for its killer sunshine and I definitely got burned but only in the random places where I missed some sunscreen. That night we went to a pub called Woody’s and had a great time dancing the night away! There was a bachelor’s party being held at the same bar and they were all dressed in costumes! Iron Man was the Groom and Bumblebee from Transformers was the best man. They were a hoot!

The Bachelor's party and some crazy Australian guy!

Waking up Sunday morning was miserable because I spent all of Saturday night shivering and in pain from my sunburn. We checked out of our hostel and walked around Byron for a while and got lunch. A couple of our friends wanted to walk up to the lighthouse but I was too miserably burned to be in the sun that long. So I headed back to the hostel for a nap with my other two badly burned friends.

I was sad to leave Byron bay Sunday afternoon. I had fallen in love with the small beach town and all the memories I made there. Weirdly enough, walking back into my house in St. Lucia felt kind of like home. I made a yummy garlic chicken dinner (slowly picking up this cooking thing) and did some late night homework before I passed out.

Real homework and class are this week but thankfully Quest is pulling through again because we are going to Wet and Wild waterpark for the weekend! I don’t think the fun will ever stop for me. Cheers for now!