Bye Sydney

So today was our last day in Sydney and we started it off with more touring. I'm seriously so sad to leave, I absolutely love it here and would DIE to come back sometime in the future (maybe abroad!? maybe live?!!!) We ended up in The Rocks which is a very historic part of Sydney. We just walked around and then walked back to Circular Quay to catch a ferry ride to Manly which is where Mary's friend Katie lives. The ferry was about 1/2 hour and it was quick and easy. It was more wavy and bumpy though than the ferries back at home. We got a lovely lunch at a little resturaunt and it was fun to talk with Katie. After we walked around a little bit we hopped back on the ferry and came back to the hotel where we are now enjoying cocktails before we head off to dinner somewhere in the city. Tonight will be full of packing as we head off to Uluru in the morning. I'm not sure how the internet will be over there so if you don't hear from me until next Tuesday (your Monday) then I'm fine, just riding camels and such in the desert. Don't fret, I'll talk to you in Brisbane!! Cheers!

"How much does a polar bear weigh?"

Hiiiiiie! Sorry I haven't written in a while! It's been busy and we were all tired the night before and last night. It's 7:30 am on Friday morning and I have experienced so much of Sydney so far! I'll start on Wednesday after we got in. As I said, we journeyed over to the Sydney Opera House. The walk was easy since we're in the same area as the Opera House, Circular Quay (pronounced key). We walked past all the ferry docks and through a little outdoor shopping mall. Oh and by the way it was pouring down rain, much like Seattle but more monsoon-y) but that didn't put a damper on the trip...I was LOVING Sydney so far. We made it to the Opera House and took a tour. It was so interesting to learn about the history of the Opera House and fun fact: the original design was first put in the discard pile where it was ultimately rescued. Isn't that interesting? I took lots of pictures which will be on Facebook and Flickr so soon so be excited!! After the Opera House, Mary was getting blisters so we had to go find band aids and then when ate sandwiches in a little food court. It was still pouring so we went back to the hotel and ate a little dinner in the exclusive executive lounge (thanks Dad!!!!)
That night, there was a huge rugby game State of Origin between New South Wales and Queensland (Much like a way bigger version of the Apple Cup...because it is the whole country and not just Washington). Sarah and I journeyed to a swanky little bar where we were once again carded (do we really look 17?) and enjoyed the company of many Australians rooting for either side. Sarah's mom is from Queensland (colors: maroon) and so we were on that side. In the bar, I experienced my first Australian pick-up line by a guy named Tom. . as I was talking to Jonathan and Jeff, two Kiwis (New Zelanders) that Sarah and I met, Tom comes up to me and asks, "How much does a polar bear weigh?" Not really knowing what to say he jumped right in and said, "Enough to break the ice, I'm Tom." Hahaha needless to say, it was an interesting way to break the ice.
We woke up yesterday and ate breakfast in the Exec Lounge right in front of the Sydney Opera House (pictures and a video will be up soon). The day started out very sunny, started to rain, and then was sunny/cloudy. We played tourists yesterday and took a hop on/hop off (you can get on any of these buses and get off at any stop which would be a many tourist attraction in Sydney and around Bondi) bus tour. I took SO many pictures and I loved exploring Sydney. There is just so much to see here and I feel like I've already seen so much of it! We toured the surroudning area Bondi including Bondi Beach where we stopped for lunch, and the city of Sydney and all the fun things to see there. Again, pictures will be up soon with detailed descriptions of each place. I took so many pictures you guys are going to be overwhelmed!!!
We ate dinner in the bar of the hotel last night and went to bed rather early exhausted from a full day of touring and sight seeing. And I'm up at the crack of dawn so I guess I'm not fully adjusted yet but getting there. I have a huge smile on my face all the time here...I really do love it! I wish all of you were here to experinece it with me !!!
Today we're going to visit The Rocks, a hip and popular place and home to the Sydney bridge, and meet up with Mary's old childhood friend Katie. We are also going to catch a ferry to Manly. I can't wait to tell you all about it!! Thanks so much for reading and more to come soon :)

Visas, Airports, Sydney Oh My!

I made it!! It is 12:30 pm on Wednesday May 26th and I am sitting in our Marriot hotel room overlooking Sydney Bay. I haven't seen much of Sydney yet, only the airport and a little bit of downtown on the way to our hotel room. The weather is very rainy, much like Seattle, so it's nothing I can't handle.
My trip kind of started out rough in LA as my Visa was accidently purchased and put on my old passport instead of my new one. Fortunatly, after some stress and tears, Quantas took good care of me and bought another one for the new passport. The 14 hour flight from LAX to Sydney was not as bad as I thought it was going to be. Each person had their own personal TV which was armed with hundreds of movies, television shows, games, and music. I got probably about 6 hours of sleep which was great because it killed a lot of time. We landed in Sydney at 6:30 am this morning (Sydney time) and stopped at the Duty Free to pick up some "goodies" (I got carded. . of course) and then went through an easy customs. We got our bags and took a shuttle to the hotel where we were just in time for a continental breakfast. Since we arrived at the crack of dawn (literally) our room is not ready yet and so we are hanging out in an early check in room. We all took showers and are getting ready to slug through the day at the Sydney Opera House. We're planning on getting back to the hotel, maybe eat a little dinner, and head off to bed around 7. I am exhausted but so far I love it here. I can't wait to explore more of this foregin city!! Thanks for reading, more to come later.

Anxious/Excited for Australia

In less than 24 hours I will be taking off and on my way to Sydney, Australia!! I've just finished up all my packing and have a few things to add in the morning. Naturally, my suitcase is huge and full of clothes and shoes (of course). Hopefully it will be under 50 pounds or there will be some re-arranging to do at the airport :) My travel partner in crime Sarah and I shopped for last minute items all day today and so I am exhausted and will be heading to bed right after the season finale of Lost! Next time I go to bed, I will be falling asleep in Australia...how exciting is that?! I'm not looking forward to the 14 hour flight but I know it will all be worth it when I have the time of my life down under!!
More to come tomorrow from LAX!