Week 30 - Home from Australia

I made it home safe and sound Wednesday afternoon, but have been battling jet lag and a bit of a head cold for the past couple days.  My body is tired and needs sleep, I have to start studying for my next test tomorrow!

Week 29 - Australia!

I am late in posting, it is almost time for week 30!
Week 29 was my first real days in Australia.   I shouldn't have taken this vacation really, as I mentioned in my last post, I was sick the week before, it is a really bad time at work, and let's be honest - Australia is EXPENSIVE!   Typically when I travel with my friend Heather I spend less than $2, 000 on one of our adventures, including airfare.  
The airline ticket alone for this trip was over $2, 000.  And lets not talk about how everything cost serious cash once you are there as well.  Nothing is cheap/free, not even wifi.
But you know what?  I had the BEST time.
My traveling tip is to pay for things in advance - when planning any vacation, I first buy the airline ticket. 
(Side note: I highly recommended Qantas Airlines now, I didn't hate myself after a 13 hour flight from LAX to BNE, and that is saying something!   Plus the food was actually tasty and didn't upset my finicky tummy at all.)  Buy the airline ticket, then pick a few hotels or activities you know you want to see/do/stay at, and pay for those in advance as well (if possible).  I find that when I don't have to worry about a large credit card bill at the end of a vacation, I am much better at living in the moment - relaxing and experiencing everthing that I can.

I loved loved loved Australia.   Never before have so many strangers offered me a job, a place to stay, and to be a part of their lives.  I felt like I had six friends within 20 minutes if landing.  A cab diver told me it was because Australia has so little crime, it's people are so open to everything and everyone.

Week 29 took me to Cairns: a tour of the far north, the Daintree Rainforest,  Cape Tribulation,  the Atherton Tabelands, and the Great Barrier Reef.  I crossed the international date line, and experianced scuba diving both for the first time.

I will absolutely be going back to Australia,  this is one place that I couldn't cover in 2 weeks, and that I look forward to exploring even more of!

Week 28 - Australia!

I was feeling sick most of the week, a lingering migraine from last weekend that just would not go away.  Work was required attendance thought because Friday I left for Australia!  
I think I got it all done, well... enough done. :)  the house isn't clean, the laundry isn't done, but I guess that stuff will wait for my return, right?
In getting to Australia I flew from SEA to LAX, then had a direct flight from LAX to BNE (Brisbane).  LAX to BNE is a 14 hour flight, and I was worried - how was I going to handle 14 hours in an airplane?  Everyone had tips and tricks and I bought into them all, but truthfully,  all of those lotions and potions were not needed.  I slept for the vast majority of the flight.  Awake for maybe four of the 14 hours, I slept again on the flight from BNE to Cairns!  I think I was just so worn out from this past week that my body took that opportunity to catch up on rest.  It was a beautiful thing.  :)
Once I landed in Cairns I hopped a shuttle to my hotel, checked in and showered, booked my tours for the next few days and then ran out to grab some groceries. So far Cairns is reminding me strongly of Maui, maybe with a bit of Belize tossed in.  There are palm trees everywhere and the humid air already has my hair in curls.
Today I am off to explore Cape Trib and the Daintree rainforest - can't wait!  

Week 27

Lol... I literally only took three pictures this week.  How sad and completely unlike me!  They are not even very good! :)
Oh well, it was back to work after vacation, a week of intense heat and ice packs in the bed, fourth of July fireworks from the balcony, and (bah humbug!) the worst migraine I have ever had!
I have most of my trip planned though - on Friday I head to Australia!