Bridge Hotel, Richmond (Melbourne)

Monday, Feb 6^th

The super bowl game was at 10am Australian time.  (Sunday night football for the US is Monday morning for Australia). I was excited for the win, since Aaron Ross, cornerback from the University of Texas, was on the winning team- The Giants beat the Patriots, 21-17.  What a nail biter!  Eli Manning was named Super Bowl MVP for the second time after this win.  This game was the most watched program in United States television as of yet.  I was so surprised at the number of Australians who also follow American football.  It was so funny to be watching the game across the world with Aussie followers.  

Then we headed for the airport and were on our way to Melbourne.  Kristy has a friend, Kim, who lives there.  The flight was quick, but I got some more reading done in my book- it’s getting intense!  That night, Kim had us over for an Aussie barbie.  We cooked up a storm and chilled with Kim’s roommates.  They are really nice.  We talked and got to know each other.  I shared about the farm and my family.  They were fascinated by our traditions and quirky get-togethers.

Tuesday, Feb 7^th

Kim showed us some cute little boutiques on Bridge Street.  We bought some sundresses and accessories.  It felt just like the drag in Austin.  We had lunch at a great little Vietnamese place.  I love all of the outdoor seating at the many quaint eateries.  The atmosphere along the shops and restaurants is very similar to that of Italy.  I wish we had more of that feel in Texas, but I guess it’s usually too hot for that.  It provides such a laid back and relaxed feel to the evening.  Servers aren’t trying to flip tables and no one’s in a rush.  Let’s take that up in America?  How about less progress and workaholics and longer lunches and socialization.  Let’s live longer and enjoy more.

Then, Kristy and I painted our nails and played cards with some of Kim’s roommates.  Next, we went to Bridge Hotel.  It’s a pub/restaurant that is two stories in the middle of an ally way with little nooks to eat and hang out in.  It’s the coolest place I’ve ever been to with a mutli-layer, cultured feel to it, like a restaurant in a narrow alley way in Venice.  

We hung out on a balcony with chairs and could talk to people on the other side if we wanted to, with people walking below, talking and eating.  I met some great lads here too.  Some mates were in town from South Australia.  They were here for work.  It was interesting talking to wheat farmers and learning about their trade.  And they weren’t too bad on the eyes either. ;)

Bondi Beach and Cronulla Beach

Saturday, Feb 4^th

We decided to go to Melbourne on Monday. Steve was so kind- he drove Kristy and I all the way back to my Australian family’s house to pack my bags.  This was quite a trek- about an hour and a half one way.  But we made a road trip out of it.  We stopped in Bondi for lunch right on the beach.  It was exquisite.  

Bondi is a bit more of a tourist beach.  Manly is a beach close to where I am going to live.  It's a little less visited by tourists, but has a similar feel to it.  I can't wait to spend my afternoon's soaking up the sun on Manly beach.  I wonder if the name has anything to do with the eye candy on the sandy shore?  

At the Bondi beach bistro, we watched the local kids jumping off the rocks into the ocean.  It was precarious, but they seemed to know what they were doing. 

Then, Kristy and I laid out at the beach in Cronulla.  Yay sun!

Bondi Beach

Sunday, Feb 5^th

We laid out all day again in Cronulla and then had an Aussie barbie at Steve’s.  Yum.  We watched a movie and then crashed.  The sun really takes it out of you. (My camera died, so I don't have any pictures of Cronulla beach...I'll have to go back soon so I can capture it on camera.) 

Cronulla (South Sydney)

Thursday, Feb 2^nd
I met up with Kristy, the Lifestylist from the ship, for lunch near Town Hall in Sydney.  Her contract ceased at the end of our cruise, so we figured we would tour Australia a bit together.  I start nannying March 1^st.  Unfortunately, it was raining, so we decided to shop and go on a pubcrawl.  After we bought some cute clothes from LuLuLemon and shared our life stories, we went back to her place.  She was staying with a friend, Steve.  We had a chill night and talked more over some wine.  Steve was so great, because he let me hang out with them for a couple days.  He showed us all the cool places to go.

Friday, Feb 3^rd

We had lunch with Steve in Cronulla, a small town in South Sydney.  Then we went to a Rugby league game that evening. 

I had a meat pie for dinner (an Aussie delicacy).  We ate, drank and were merry.  We met some cute guys and rugby players afterwards at the Sharkies Club.  The Sharks are the regional team of Cronulla.  Everyone calls them the Sharkies.  I’m a tried and true fan now.  Rugby is a bit confusing, but essentially, they have to pass the ball backwards.  It goes on continuously, as opposed to football, so there are no downs.  If they stop the ball, they have scrums, where they huddle up and start the ball again.  They don’t wear any pads, so it’s all MAN.  I like rugby. 

Sydney

Tuesday, Jan 31^st

Gemma, the current Au Pair, and me
at Scruffy's Irish Pub near Town Hall in Sydney

We arrived back in Sydney this morning.  Jerry, my soon-to-be boss, picked me up from the ship terminal.  That is where I said my good-byes.  I will miss Mama, Granny and Wayne so much, but it was so nice to have those 2 weeks of meaningful time together.  Emila, Jerry’s wife, took me to lunch and we got to know each other better.  They are going to be a wonderful family to work for and live with, as an au pair. Then, Gemma, the current Au Pair, showed me how to use the train system.  We went to down town Sydney to an Irish pub called Scruffy’s.  She introduced me to her friends from England and France.  All of the people in the pub were so friendly.  By the end of the night, we all were having a great time.  I met people from all over the world- Ireland, England, France and Scotland. 

Back to Aussie Land

 Sunday and Monday, Jan 29-30^th

Our last 2 days were at sea, returning to Australia:  We enjoyed working out, playing scrabble, working on a puzzle, singing karaoke, eating, laying out, and reading.  For the Karaoke rounds, Wayne helped me choose my songs and prepare.  It was fun to sing and perform.  We also went to the shows and listened to the different musicians on the ship.  They had a fun poolside party with a dessert buffet.  We all danced the night away. We also celebrated Australia Day with an Aussie Brecky Barbie and a party that evening. 

Bay of Islands

Saturday, Jan 28^th

Our last port of call was the Bay of Islands.

We hiked through a rainforest to see a beautiful view of the islands.  The air was so pure and crisp.  No one was around, so it was our very own rainforest.  While we hiked, Granny told us more about her family and our ancestors.  She shared stories of her childhood and what it was like back then.  It was so interesting hearing more about where we came from.   She has so much wisdom.  Her stories and take on life have really opened my eyes.  She always has a way with making me feel safe and encouraged.  We are very similar- passionate and energetic, impulsive and goofy, spirit led and stubborn.

Mama is really good with maps, so she is the one who led the way up our very own rainforest.  Then we enjoyed the beach down below.  The bay was sprinkled with islands along the coast.  I could have layed on that beach for days.  

Auckland

Friday, Jan 27^th

Auckland is the capitol of New Zealand.  It was a bit drizzly when we arrived, but that didn’t matter to us, because Wayne and I had one goal for today- to bungee jump from the Auckland Bridge.  Commercial bungee jumping actually began in New Zealand. A J Hackett made his first jump from Auckland’s Bridge in1986.  Hackett continued to perform a number of jumps from many other structures, including the Eiffel Tower.  He built public interest and opened the world's first permanent commercial bungee site in the South Island of New Zealand. We signed up and paid our $150 and were on our way.  Mama and Granny went as viewers. 

They were still able to walk up the bridge and see the city and our jumps.  This was so exhilarating!  Another favorite day for sure.  It was a 40-meter jump.  We climbed up the bridge and went into a pod that sat just under the bridge.  It felt like a space ship.  Then we waited our turn until it was time to jump.  I am officially an adrenaline junky now.  That moment when I had to jump, 

everything froze for a moment.  I looked down and it seemed to never end.  I couldn’t believe I was actually going to jump.  Then before I could psych myself out, I jumped.  And fell.  Free falling like that is unreal.  Its like you’re flying for a split moment.  And then I suddenly felt the water rushing on my face.  I dipped into the water and then sprang back up.   Then down again.  The third spring up and I yanked the cord that lets me turn right side up.  Then they hoisted me back up, half soaked, grinning from ear to ear.  I couldn’t contain my exhilaration.  I was by far the most vocal about my experience.  

The guys who run this little operation are professional yet chill.  David Beckham, Miley Cyrus, Katy Perry, and several other celebrities have jumped from this bridge.  I’m jumping with the stars, eh? After that, we were happy to return to the ship, since it was raining.  What an experience. 

Climbing under the bridge, Auckland high rises in the background