Aussie Adventure: Figure 8 Rock Pools

So today I woke up at 11 extremely hungover and had a huge marketing project due at 2.. Obviously instead of meeting with my group and handing in my part of the project, I went on a hike with my best friends. Two cars were driving and of course I got put into the one with this guy who I used to hook up with. Thats not so bad except for that fact that I was on the verge of puking the whole 30 minutes. Thankfully we got to the start of the hike. Within the first five minutes some of the boys had already ran ahead of the group, but I was the caboose. All is well since the guy with the music stayed back with my friend and I so we had a dance party and musical session for the hours of the hike. We missed the turn to the rock pools at first and were being screamed at by the rest of our group to turn around. My legs actually felt like jello at this point. When we got to the rock pool it was disappointingly smaller than any pool in my neighborhood. LEL. That's okay we swam, took pictures, and climbed some more. The hike back was almost more gorgeous than the hike there because of the majestic sunset that concluded our perfect adventure day.

 

^^^ That's us down there!!

 ^^^ Shout out to Jake for taking this picture #someonehadtodoit

Bondi Beach - Coogee Beach Walk

What better way to spend the day and get to see all Sydney has to offer than doing the Bondi- Coogee Beach Walk? The walk goes along the cliffs and beaches of Bondi, Bronte, Tamarama, and Coogee. Tons of walkers, runners, and sightseers line the path throughout all times of the day. It took my friends and I about two hours because we were stopping to take pictures and watch surfers. We got the best pictures and views when we hopped the fence and went climbing on our own (;

Beach of the Week: Royal National Park, New South Wales

The secluded beaches of the Royal National Park are so beautiful words cannot describe and pictures do not do them worthy. The sand is so fresh, it is squeaky and soft. The water was warm even in the Australian winter. The specific beach I hiked to, was an hour bush walk away (6 km). When we got there, there were other back packers that were camping out on the grass hill, but that was it. There were only a few empty boat sheds and the rest was nature to be seen for kilometers. I could have spent all day swimming and relaxing with the solitude of the waves breaking and my friends laughing.

Studying in Straya! (University of Wollongong)

Studying in Straya~ a course called Happiness- investigating causes and conditions

O week unraveled!

So orientation week in Australia is a little different then the states. I was expecting endless lectures and instructions about not drinking or something along those lines, but that’s not it one bit. It is a week of parties sponsored by the Uni, starting with a pub crawl, followed by a music themed party, an ABC (anything but clothes) party, an under the sea party, a graffiti party, and of course Uni night. I don’t understand how we made it through the week alive, but nothing could have been better for our first taste of Wollongong. I mean really, what gets students bonding and talking more than a little goon. By the end of it all we had stories galore, friendships made, and no voice left to say more.

Celebrating the holidays- 

St. Patty’s day just rolled around and if you’re not sure if Australia celebrates it, well let me elaborate our day for you. Clear skies led us to the beach all morning and then the drinking started at one. We made it to a house party by Uni at about four and were proud to see the green envelope the backyards of two houses. 

People were everywhere, playing beer pong, rolling around in a giant ball, spinning goon bags around a circular clothes line, jumping from trees and one from a roof, on the dance floor, and conversing on the grass (or even making out). It was just ten when the cops came and dispersed the students. Most of which of us just ended up at the bar to continue eating and drinking.  At the end of the day MJ’s sprained ankle, Allie’s broken hand and lost phone, and my lost room key were all tokens from 12 hours of partying. Here's a local newspapers description of the celebration http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/2159391/wild-keiraville-party-uni-students-unrepentant/?cs=309.

The festival way of life- My friends and I were fortunate enough to be in Australia for Future Music Festival in Sydney. With plans to make it a great day, MJ and I boarded the train into Sydney with full cups of goon at 9am. We weren’t going to waste anytime to drink because we knew alcohol inside the festival would have been costly. When we got to Sydney we took a cab to a house party complete with music, some wild Canadian girls, and our friends. By three we were heading to the festival. Right away, MJ and I were welcomed by some crazy, masked guy who felt the need to lift us on top of his shoulders. After that excitement we ventured into the main area where we were consumed by a foam party. We played and danced and got soaked and lost track of time. By the time we were out we were onto our first stage; Tinie Tempah you might know him for the song Pass Out. Front row and yet still we managed the need for men to hold us on their shoulders. The security guards in the front were popping champagne into the crowd which everyone loved and took advantage of. 

After that MJ and I were lucky enough to stumble upon the stage where Macklemore and Ryan Lewis were singing. Everyone loved the classics from these fellas like Thrift Shop. By then the sun was setting and after a taco, ice cream, and beer session MJ and I hustled back to see Hardwell. It was the most phenomenal performance I have ever seen! I can’t say I have ever had more fun dancing. Right after Hardwell, Deadmou5 was on and the light show and staging was unreal. It concluded our spectacular festival and our sweaty and muddy bodies piled on the train back to campus.

Nights out- 

Let’s start off with Australia tradition for partying. Wednesday nights is called Uni Night and UOW provides us with transportation to and from the clubs in town. I am not sure why they promote drinking on school nights, but I’m not going to complain. 

What Wollongong has to offer- It might seem like all we do it party, but we manage to see the sites too. Fairy Meadow beach is the beach about a 2 minute walk from my dorm room and we go to nap, tan, swim and see people whenever. Then there is North Gong beach which is a more towny and less campus east residential beach. With cute cafes along the road and the lighthouse and harbor to the right, there is definitely a larger crowd, but we enjoy the atmosphere a lot. Also next to North Gong Beach is the Rock Pools! These are so beautiful and cool, we love walking down to them for a waveless dip in the ocean. 

Wollongong also has a neat hike. It starts at Uni and heads to the top of Mt. Kiera. It starts off stairs and you think to yourself, “okay I got this” and then the stairs feel like they will ever end and then they do and it becomes a vertical climb complete with straddling fallen trees. The top was so satisfying to see and I will be doing it again soon. The mountain overlooks all of Wollongong and we are looking forward to seeing the sight at sunrise one time.

Beach of the Week: Byron Bay

Calling all laid back and ready to chill 20 year olds around Australia! Byron Bay is the perfect spot for you! It is full of beautiful honeys and rad guys who are down to beach and party their life away. The town itself is full of health stores and surfer shops that are to die for! And then, a block away, lies the most pristine beach that doesn't get too crowded, but is still a fun atmosphere. The ocean has the most magnificent blue color and a perfect little sand bar that attracts sun bathers who just get a little too warm from the hot, hot sun. The beach also has a wonderful walk to the nearby light house and rocky coast that is a must see morning hike. Also, if you're looking for a place to eat or stay, Ray's is a neat spot to check out! 

-as told by annabel