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.

Beach of the Week: Hot Water Beach, NZ

Hot Water Beach, New Zealand

This is hands down, no doubt about it, by far, the coolest beach I’ve ever experienced solely just on the sand. The Hot Water Beach is on a part of the earth’s crust that is unusually thin. This creates hot springs that happen to run just under the beach. So what happens is you dig a hole into the sand is it fills up with “hot tub” temp water. There are even parts of the beach sectioned off because the water that comes up is so hot it boils. The beach is quite touristy and is well known so it was a bit busy, but a worth while experience. There is a local booth that sells shovels just in case you want to join the crowd and give it a shot.

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

Beach of the Week: Tortola, BVI

Apple Bay, Tortola

Home of the infamous Bomba Shack, crystal clear water, and amazing white sand beaches, Apple Bay is to die for. The conditions are close to perfect close to all the time. Sebastian’s is a fabulous recommendation for a place to stay or rent a house for the week up the hill to enjoy breathtaking views. The sunset from this beach is full of pinks, but the full moon is when you really want to experience the beach. Full moon parties and a huge celebration in Tortola and you can be guaranteed a fun time  

 -as told by Annabel

        

Beach of the Week: The Baths, Virgin Gorda

The Baths, Virgin Gorda

Quite a touristy venue, but there is no doubt why. As a main attraction to British Virgin Islands, the baths are a beautiful beach where stones (more like boulders) have been smoothed by the waves and pile together to form crevices we named baths. Water washes up and meets the sand to create pools to relax, photograph, and play. I’ve been plenty of times in all types of conditions and there is no saying when a time is best except maybe later in the afternoon or earlier in the morning to avoid the crowds. I’ve even been in the rain and it doesn’t stop the people.

-as told by Annabel

Beach of the Week: Wrightsville Beach

Wrightsville Beach, NC

 There is never a problem in the world that a walk on this beach can’t cure. Sunsets at the south end. Cocktails and appetizers at the Oceanic Pier.  Fishing at Johnny Mercer’s Pier. And lovely long walks down through the north end. It may be full of college students, but we provide for excellent entertainment, Hammocks and slack lining set up under the piers. Surfers galore out in the water, And even a new era of hula hooping amongst the hippies. The college scene is definitely huge but the locals keep it surreal. Its never loud or over run by college drunks with the exception of the beach bar scene.  At about eleven you can find a crowds drinking, listening to live music, dancing to dj’s and the whole works. With a strip of beach bars open until two am and then pizza open across the street, Wrightsville is a recipe for an incredible time for the twenties.

Here's to the Gals of the Beach

Here’s to all the gals with knotted and salty hair- lets face it, its just better that way! Those girls out there with perfectly blow-dried, highlighted, straightened hair are not doing it the right way. Wind is how we dry our hair because we know that blow driers do not travel well and seriously who has time for them?? The sun gives us our your highlights because they are a token and reminder of the hours we spent soaking in the rays. The ocean leaves its waves in your hair. It’s a beautiful thing when the salt holds the waves.

Here’s to the gals with tanned bodies accustomed to random tan lines and those “where’d that come from” scraps and bruises- the bikini’s, sunglasses, rings, bracelets, whatever the tan line is it shows for a winter overcame by summer. As for the bruises and scraps, they build character. Callused feet mean withstanding the hot sands.

Here’s to the gals with eyes that hold a hundred visions- there is nothing more spectacular than women with passions. When people talk to us and the topic hits home, they can see our eyes light up and we cant hold back until our passion become theirs.

Smiles that shine brighter than a thousand sun- because happy girls are the prettiest girls and let’s face it most of us our lucky enough to live on the coast! We might not give ourselves enough credit but our smiles make everyone else around us smile brighter too. We can create our own sunshine.  
And finally here’s to the gals with a craving for the place where the desert meats the sea.  Where the waves can wash away any uncertainty or problem clouding our minds. Where not letting the tide reach our towels becomes a main concern. And where our families push the importance of sunblock and our friends remind us of the meaning of the word carefree.

Bring on the KINI SO TINI!

Brazilian is SO, SO in!

If you are the first of your friends to start wearing them, then do it with confidence and be proud when everyone follows your lead. If you’re just catching in on the trend and think you can’t pull it off? You’re wrong my lady. Everyone starts with pale cheeks and all it takes is a day or two in the sun and boom, you’ve got your perfect booty. I started in my backyard and I was so nervous my dad or mom was going to come back and make a remark about my bare butt, but honestly, all the junk is covered up its just a little more skin.  I was modest about my kini for a whole summer, but as I became more and more aware of the kini world, I got over feeling shy. I started strutting myself in front of families and friends because after a while I liked the attention and realized I was trendsetting. Two years passing and the local surf shop just caught on (; Once you convert there is no going back because you realize how unflattering those diapers are. Butt or not butt, work what you got! May I suggest the oh, so fabulous Acacia Swimwear brand!