I heart Vietnam

I love Vietnam. Sure, the people are not the friendliest, warm, open people I expected. Sure, it smells retched in areas like something died, came back to life, died 100 more times, rotted and then had sour milk poured on it. Sure, I feel like I am walking into deaths door every time I cross the street. Sure, I got chased down the street today by an angry woman on a motor cycle after we just had a screaming match. But aside from all that I heart Vietnam.

After Mui Ne, Heidi and I went to Nha Trang while Leonie went all the way to Hoi An. We didnt really have any expectations of Nha Trang. We stopped more or less becuase we didnt want to be on a bus for 17 hours and go all the way to Hoi An. THANK god we stopped. I loved Nha Trang. We stayed at most likely the loudest hostel in the entire world, got zero sleep, but had a blast. I heart Vietnam.

Our Hostel like many of them in Asia had a travel agency attached to it. They sold a one day boat trip for $8 so we figured, heck why not. $8, including lunch, snorkeling, fruit, beaches, boats, views, and good people... sounds like a steal. A steal it was! It was gorgeous, great fun, huge lunch, awesome people, lots of swimming, live entertainment, (the crew turned into a band after lunch and we all danced on board) snorkeling, and best of all the chance to go Para sailing. I suppose my surf lesson gave me courage to try new adventures, so I sucked it up and for the low low price of $12 I went Para Sailing. The parachute had lots of holes in it, my life jacket didnt secure, the jet ski that comes to get you after you land in the water billowed black smoke, and it was a fairly dodgy operation, but totally 100% worth it. It was absolutely gorgeous being up high and seeing the mountains and ocean from a birds eye view. I heart Vietnam.

After a full day of sun and boat, and the lack of sleep from the noisy hostel the previous night, you would think we would be tired enough to sleep like babies on the overnight bus to Hoi An. Wrong! The sleeper bus was so bumpy, so crowded, SO SO cold. (I've discovered that the buses here seem to have two air con temperatures... Freezing, and broken. It is either hotter than Lucifer's casa, or colder than the coldest day on top of Mount Everest... no exaggeration). We slept abou,t oh... I dont know maybe one hour total from the 12 hour bus journey. Any one who has ever said traveling is relaxing is the biggest liar on the face of the earth.

Once we arrived in Hoi An, Leonie had arranged a hotel for us. We got to the hotel checked in, and the best part of the story is that a friend from LA was also in Hoi An at the same time. So, Laurenne stayed with us at the hotel. It was really nice to have a taste of home. Hoi An is known for the custom made clothing. So Heidi and I set out first thing to get some clothes made. We didnt do much searching around and we ended up going into a shop where some girls were coming out and they said they were happy with the result of their clothes. Good enough for me, let's go there. Well long story short... Look around first. Find the shops with the clothes on display you want, do NOT expect them to make something from a vision in your head. This custom clothing experience ended with Heidi being happy with her 5 items, and me being happy with 2/5 of mine, and REALLY unhappy with one. I was so unhappy with it, that I refused to pay, got in a screaming match with the woman in the shop, her picking up a huge ceramic vase and trying to throw it at me. I ran down the street, she chased us down on her motorbike, and instead of being killed in Vietnam by an angry 4 ft 8 inch tailor, I paid her the $200 dong (about $12) but I wasn't happy about it.

However, on the upside on Hoi An, it is absolutely stunning, Awesome market with women in bamboo hats selling lots of produce. Old ladies and children walking around with Chickens in their hands. Men, women and children harassing you to buy something for a good price. Very cheap. Knock-off Lacoste polo shirts and any other knock-off you can imagine. We got hijacked by a woman telling us to go to her salon for a $1 pedicure. A $1 pedicure??? How can you say no to that! So Laurenne, Heidi and I spent some time and got pampered. I heart Vietnam.

That night we went to dinner on the street at a street stall. Delicious meal. Met four french guys sitting next to us, and arranged to meet them out later in the night. After an AMAZING dessert at a cafe called Cargo (we went to this cafe 3 times in 24 hours). We went to a bar called Before and Now ( I think that was the name). There was a free shuttle leaving the bar at 11 pm to bring people to a beach party about 5 km away. We met some Canadians the night before who went to this party so Laurenne and I figured why not. It didn't matter I had to wake up at 6:30 for a flight to Ha Noi. After all, as she put it, "how cool will it be in 10 years when we say, HEY, remember that time in Ha Noi we said fuck it, lets go to a beach party with 4 Frenchies and a bunch of other backpackers?". So we went, danced the night away, and got back to the hotel at 4:30 am. Just in time for 2 hours of sleep before waking up to head to the airport. I heart Vietnam.

We got to Ha Noi at about noon. The flight was only an hour, and smooth. VERY much worth the $40 and the knowledge I wont be on a bus tonight for 15 hours.

Tomorrow we head off to Halong Bay for a 2 night 3 days trip. I can't wait. I am sure I will heart Halong Bay.

places to stay while traveling the world

Before I forget (and since i have 45 mins to kill before my bus to Nah Trang comes)I want to write down all the places I have stayed thus far on my journey. This will help me remember the trip, and hopefully will help anyone who comes this way.

AUSTRALIA:

Cairns: Calypso - Awesome! Really friendly staff. Out of town a little, but free shuttle to town every hour. Great pool and bar.

Cape Tribulation: The Beach House- Right on the beach, really relaxed and chill. Quiet. Lots and Lots of wildlife around. (spiders) Great relaxing place overall.

Mission Beach: Scotty's. Nice staff, nice pool, nothing to do in town, relaxing, good BBQ area. Sell things like single eggs, and individual slices of toast which makes things easy. Bathroom en suite. BYOB

Magnetic Island: Base- Wonderful in every way. Great night life. (some rooms the air con doesn't work). Good pool, good restaurant, good bar.

Airlie Beach: Beaches- good place, tiny pool. But good lagoon in walking distance. TV in rooms... balcony, good bar. Fridge in rooms. Clean, all rooms are bathroom en suite. Free Bfast.

1770: 1770 Backpackers- One of the best. No air con, but fan in rooms. Staff is friendly. big kitchen. REALLY REALLY chill place. Hammocks, and picnic benches every where. En Suite BR. BYOB.

Hervey Bay: Beaches- eh ok. no air con... pool was nice. Staff was not friendly. DO NOT recommend doing Fraser Island through Beaches. Beds were noisy. Bathroom was en suite.

Noosa: YHA: Great. Friendly staff, free wine on first night as a "get to know people". social, ping pong table, pool table, TV room, big kitchen, chill, good location. Clean, Really nice in every way.

Byron Bay: Holiday Village: Ok- comfy bed... must pay for linen though. no aircon, small pool. central location. Directly across the street from the big backpacker bar, Cheeky Monkeys. If I were to go back I would stay at The Arts Factory. Out of town a little, but really really chill. Free bike rental. BYOB

Sydney: YHA- railroad. nice, comfy beds, aircon, BR en suite, BYOB. Helpful staff. Central location right next to bus station and train station.

Melbourne: I stayed at 3 different hostels.
1- The Nunnery- in the Fitzroy area. Artsy area, loads of cafe's and live music bars. Hostel was old, but had character, Guests were on the older side. Lots of families. Free BBQ once a week. Free Bfast. BYOB overall ok.
2- Urban Central- HUGE, clean, comfy beds. Good bar, big kitchen. Free pasta, rice, and bfast. very secure, except this is where the naked man incident occurred. EEK. Friendly staff. Good central location to the CBD. Overall I would go back.
3-Base- In St. Kilda area. Nice big. clean rooms, bathroom en suite. good location to the beach and cafe's. Big Backpacker area. Would def. go back.

Adelaide: never stayed in a hostel here BUT I heard that the YHA is good.

Perth: Same as Adelaide, never stayed in a hostel, but YHA is supposedely great. It is in the CBD area... also have heard good things about staying in Cottelsloe Beach area.

MALYSIA:

Kuala Lumpur: Red Palm- wonderful. awesome staff. good location, cheap, free breakfast. Free coffee, tea, fruit and biscuits all day. Good communal TV area with lots of reference books.

CAMBODIA:

Siem Reap: Siem Reap Hostel- AMAZING. Comfy beds, clean, staff was REALLY REALLY Friendly. Free clean water to fill up your water bottle with. Awesome location, free bike rental. Great $1 bfast in the morning. Air con, pool, free internet, free bike rental. Bathroom en suite. One of the best hostels I've stayed at.

Phenom Penh: Capitol- Good, big rooms, very clean, friendly staff. Tour office downstairs. bathroom en suite. Satellite TV, air con. cheap.

VIETNAM:

Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City): Madam Cuc's Hotel 64- Nice, clean room. The three of us had to share 2 beds. Air con, TV, free Breakfast, free coffee, tea, juice and fruit all day. Staff was alright. fridge in room. Helped book bus for next day. More expensive then other places in Saigon, but you get what you pay for. En suite BR.

Mui Ne: Suoi Tenn Mui Ne Resort- Wonderful. AMAZING pool. Right on the beach. clean rooms, air con, fridge. En suite BR. Ok staff- not very friendly. free brekky. free internet. Really relaxing, and chilled. really nice, the price wasn't too much for a resort either. $12.50/day. Close to lots of shops and restaurants. Would def. recommend.

Nha Trang: Backpackers hostel- REALLY loud. Good location, but don't expect to sleep. If you want to meet people here its a good place for that, but bring ear plugs if you want to sleep. Also book the one day boat tour from the hostel for $8. It is TOTALLY worth every penny. Free internet.

Hoi An: An Phu Hotel- big, nice, pool, air con, private bathroom, fridge TV, cheap ish (about $7 per person with 3 of us in a room). Helpful staff. Free internet.

Hanoi: Hanoi Backpackers- good place to meet people. Clean, some of the room are crammed with beds and have tiny bathrooms, while others are good. Free internet, free breakfast, GREAT place to meet people, free coffee and tea all day. I totally recommend booking the Halong Bay trip through this hostel even though it is a bit more expensive then places you can find on the street, but TOTALLY worth the extra money. Also do a three day trip, not the two day. There are lots of hotels on the same street. My reccomendation is to stay at a hotel on the street and get the private room for the same price as the hostel dorm room. Then just go to the hostel to socialize.

LAOS:

Vienteinne: Phonepasiuth Guesthouse- small rooms, expensive, no windows, no perks, not the best, but clean (ish) and a good location.

Vang Vieng: 2 different places
1-GrandView Guesthouse- right on the water, really close to bars, right in the think of things (although this town is so small it doesnt really matter where you stay). Nice room, a bit expensive. We paid 90,000 kip for two beds, no air con, no view. You can find rooms for 30,000 kip.
2-Somphathai guesthouse- central location. RIGHT next to tube rental place. We paid 70,000 kip for room with TV, two beds (one queen). Nice staff, restaurant that plays friends all day across the street. Little pharmacy in front of the guesthouse that sells anything you could want from Valium, to antibiotics, to bug spray, all cheap. En Suite BR, I would def. recommend it. Clean and good.


Luang Prabang: Hoxieng Guesthouse- nice place, really friendly staff. Free bananas and water. Not very cheap though. $15 US dollars per night. TV, and aircon included. en suite BR This town truly is you get what you pay for. We looked at places that were $10 a night and they were no where near as nice. Beware the Tuk Tuks from the bus station drop you no where near where the guest houses are, so word of advice, when you get dropped off, ask people on the street who look like backpackers where they are staying, and where that area is. The place is overloaded with Guesthouses, but they are all on back alley ways. I would stay here again.

Pak Beng: I don't remember the name of the place but it is on the left side of the road about 100 meters up from where you get dropped off from the slow boat. Nice place, about 80 kip for the night. Own Bathroom. Pak Beng is run entirely on a generator and has no electricity from 10:30 pm to 6:30 am.

Houy Xai: Sabadee Guesthouse- nice place, really close to the gibbon experience. We stayed here the night before and after the gibbon experience. The beds in the two rooms were VERY different so make sure you sit on it before accepting the room. We had an en suite BR, and a TV, and fan. about 80 kip/night.

THAILAND:

Chang Mai: Julies Guesthouse- backpacker mecca. Dorm rooms or private rooms. VERY cheap. Dorm rooms are only 70 baht a night. (2 USD). Private rooms are about 220 baht. Not the cleanest joint but a decent place to meet people. You can book treks or cooking classes directly here, as well as buses or trains to anywhere else in Thailand.

Pai: Family House- not the best place. SMALL room. Not the cleanest, and bed is REALLY uncomfortable. However it is cheap. We got the room for 3 nights for 700 baht total with en suite BR. The rooms are bungalows, and cute-ish. Definitely not a bad place, but there are much nicer places in Pai. If we had known where to look we would have chosen a different place. I recommend Unicorn Guesthouse. There is a pool, and free internet here.

Bangkok: Rikka Inn

Koh Tao: Big Blue Dive School, and Sunset Cottage???

Koh Phangan: Leela Beach Bungalows, and Cocohut resort

Koh Phi Phi: Banthai, and Harmony

Phuket: Phuket Backpackers

Singapore: Mitra Inn

Bali: Sayang Matha Mertha Hotel

Darwin: Maleluca on Mitchell

Alice Springs: Haven

Ok that's it up to now. Ill keep modifying as I go.

I'm a millionaire

Currently I am sitting at a resort in Mui Ne Vietnam. Straight ahead of me is a pool surrounded by palm trees, and directly to my right about 20 yards away is the ocean. It is absolutely lovely here, and very un-3rd world country Vietnam. The food is pure, the ice is okay to drink, and all the guests are westerners. I could be any where in the world...but I certainly dont feel like I am in Vietnam. $1,000,000 dong is the equivalent to about $57 USD.

We arrived at Mui Ne yesterday afternoon after a 5-6 hour bus ride from Saigon. We didn't really know where to stay here, so based off a recommendation from our previous accommodation we stopped at this resort. The room they had available for 4 (we met an australian girl traveling by herself so invited her to join along) was a whopping $50. That is a LOT of money for a room here. However, after checking the room out and seeing the resort we decided that each of us only owing $25 for two nights is worth a few days of luxury. So here we are. Yesterday we relaxed by the pool, and went to a nice dinner ($4). Today we are chilling by the ocean in comfy beach beds, and at sunset going to these red and white sand dunes. Speaking of sunsets, because it is winter here, the sun is setting around 6pm. In Australia it was setting at 9:30ish.

Backing up to the tunnels in HCMC. Our tour guide was a VERY passionate man, and I had a difficult time understanding much of what he said, although I did understand the key points. He is a Vietnamese man. However he came to America when he was younger and actually fought in the war as an American soldier. He said his commanding officer was none other than John Kerry. He also said he knew McCain, and a few others whom I cant seem to remember. He also said that the war fucked with him big time. He decided he didn't want to fight against his "own" people (Vietnamese) so he came back to Vietnam. The communist govt here at the time decided he was against them so they imprisoned him for 5 years. In this time his mother died, his brothers and sisters went missing and he wanted to commit suicide. He said he hated everything about the war, and he wants to forget it. I guess that is kind of hard to do if you are working as a tour guide showing how the Viet Cong hid from the americans. The tunnels were pretty amazing. The Viet Cong built three levels. One at 3 meters, 6 meters, and 8-10 meters deep.

The tunnels were pretty amazing. SO tiny, and SO SO SO claustrophobic. We were only allowed in one section that was 140 meters long, but it was 140 meters of sheer horror. Picture a pitch black hole, only big enough to crawl through. You cant see anything an inch in front of you, behind you, or to the side of you. Imagine the awful heat encompassing you feeling your own breathe as you deeply inhale and exhale. SCARY. I don't know how the Viet Cong lived down there. Desperate times call for desperate measures though I suppose.

Time for me to head to my mosquito netted bed. Another day of relaxation awaits me tomorrow.

sad things, bumpy buses, and lots of motorcycles

Phnom Penh was pretty remarkable in the sense that so much hatred and destruction occurred not so long ago, and the people there are some of the happiest I have ever met. Everyone was smiling, friendly, gracious, and overall seemed genuinely happy. This surprises me immensely considering the communist upraising ruled by Pol Pot ended not so long ago where over 2 million people died. Men, Women, and Children were murdured the most violent of ways. Pol Pot had no sympathy for anyone, and this was the biggest genocide in history. Yet, I ask, why have I never learned about this tragedy in history until being here? We all know the story of the holocaust but we failed to learn the torture and the terrifying ways in which millions died over the course of a few years in the late 1970's.

Phnom Penh is the capitol of Cambodia and most of the tourism revolves around the killings of this time in history. Ever hear of the movie the "The Killing Fields"?? Well Phnom Penh is where the killing fields takes place. I went to the actual killing fields while there. The fields are basically one big field with hole, after hole, after hole, dug up where thousands of bodies were buried. There are still pieces of clothing coming out of the ground, as well as bones sticking up from areas that have not been fully excavated. There was a room full of only skulls of victims dug up. I will spare you all the details, but these people were brutally, I mean BRUTALLY murdered. Things we cant even imagine in our worst nightmares.

The torture of the men, women, and children started at the Prison S21. It is now a genocide museum, and shows how the inmates were tortured for information. After the torture they were then transported to the killing fields for extinction. Our tour guide at the genocide museum had her father and brother murdered. A very sad, somber day, and symbolically enough it was the first cloudy day we have had thus far.

On a happier note... I had two of the most remarkable meals in Phnom Penh. There are a few restaurants that donate all of their profits to help children finish school, and create a career for themselves in order to keep them off the streets. For lunch we went to a place called "Friends", and dinner was at "Romdeng". The restaurants were both really, really nice, and much more expensive than if we were to eat at a regular joint, but the cause is well worth supporting. (Not to mention by much more expensive I still paid less than $10 a meal).

This morning we woke up early and headed on a bus to cross the border into VIetnam. The bus was extremely bumpy, but at least it was air-conditioned. We got to Saigon, (now referred to as Ho Chi Minh City) around 3 pm. We wandered for a while to find a guest house to stay in, and finally after finding one that looked acceptable and trekking up the 8 flights of stairs to our room we hit the town.

First let me say there are over 3 million motorbikes in the city. Imagine a 2 way street, motorbikes 7 deep in each direction, speeding by. No stoplights, no crosswalks, no road rules. INSANITY, or an even better word is complete CHAOS. Crossing the street here is like a death wish every time. It is complete and utter craziness.

Tomorrow we are checking out the Cu Chi tunnels where the Viet Cong hid during the Vietnam War. It is about 50 km away from HCMC. Hopefully my claustrophobia wont be too terrible tomorrow. Fingers are crossed.

The good, the bad, the ugly

The remainder of Siem Reap was fairly uneventful, but great. The last day we were there the three of us rented bikes from the hostel and rode around the city a bit. We stumbled upon a school, a crocodile farm, and some very poor, rural areas. After 2 out of 3 of our bikes broke we decided to head back to the hostel. It was INCREDIBLY humid during the day especially since it rained in the morning. Later that afternoon we went to a restaurant called "Dead Fish". The place is known for being able to feed the crocodiles for .50. So of course we did. It seemed incredibly unsafe, and you would never see this is the states or Europe, but it was fun none the less. Last night the hostel showed Vicky Christina Barcelona so odd to be in Cambodia and watch and American movie. After the film we went to dinner and I had what I think was the best thing on Earth. It is called chicken Amok, and holly hell was it good. I took a picture of it because it was so delicious. :) It was like a curry, but not. Unbelievable.

This morning we woke up to catch our 9am bus to Phnom Penh (capitol and largest city in Cambodia). We bought a first class ticket to ensure Air Con and a comfy ride. Unfortunately the air con broke about 2 hours into the 6 hour journey. SO hot!! So much for first class. We did however receive a bottle of water and a loaf of bread.

When we got to Phnom Penh we made our way to the guesthouse. We are staying at a place recommended by a friend who was here not to long ago. We walk up to what looks a little scary from the outside, but this place is PHENOMENAL. In our room we have 3 VERY comfy beds, our own bathroom, AND satellite TV. All of this for the low low price of $4.75 each. Our room is just as nice as a hotel room. Tonight we went to dinner at a restaurant on the Mekong river, and as things go had the WORST meal ever. I should have stuck with my Amok. I ordered a soup the waiter recommended, and never again will I order a soup where the description reads "sour fish and veggies soup". SOUR it was... gross.

Tomorrow we will go to the Killing Fields, the Genocide Museum, and a few other places around town. I think tomorrow is going to be a VERY depressing day. However I am sure it will be humbling and will be a good thing for me to see.

On a depressing note, everywhere in Cambodia there are land mine victims, with no arms, or legs. Many of whom don't beg but play music on the street instead. It is really sad and truly makes your appreciate what you have. We read that while walking around Siem Reap to be careful to stay on the paths because there are still many mines around.

Our last night in Siem Reap, we saw a little boy who was starving laying on the sidewalk with his mother. I want to help these people but I don't know how. It is a much greater effort than I am ready to deal with at this point in my life. I read some statistics today about the alarming number of child deaths due to dirty water, and malnutrition. You see these children begging, and then I go back to my $5 luxury room (which to them is expensive) and I have a life of fortune. It is very humbling, and I hope I remember how good I have it when I complain about the minuscule things like, being hot on a bus. If only they could afford a bus.

Overall- South East Asia is so far so good.

Kuala Lumpur and Seim Reap

So the last time I wrote, I spoke of my successful landing in KL, and the non-culture shock. Now any one who knows me from LA, knows one of my most favorite things about LA is the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf. The ONLY other place I have seen Coffee Bean is..... KUALA LUMPUR. what??? How can it be, that this amazing chain in ALL the way in Malaysia, yet hasn't made it to NYC yet.

Anyhow- Yesterday in KL, I went to the Petronas towers, formerly the tallest buildings in the world (until I think 1996). They only let visitors up the 42 floor where there is a sky bridge but regardless the view was great. It gave a great perspective of the city. I did hit up China Town and Little India, however both were still just opening for the day so it wasn't too crazy. There was also a bike race going on, like the tour down under, but not. aka: same same, but different.
I watched the race, only about 150 people in it, and it was pretty cool. It is a 5 day race, and I dont know how these guys did it, because it was HOT and HUMID!

Last night, I made my way to the hotel where I met Leoni, the girl from Holland who is Heidi's friend, and Heidi there. We got very little sleep as our wake up call was at 4:30 am this morning, KL time. 3:30 am Siem Reap time.

We made our way dreary eyed to the airport and 2 hours later landed in Cambodia. The airport was tiny, and very clean. I bought my $20 USD visa, and took money out of the bank, and to my surprise they ATM's give you USD, NOT Cambodia dollars. We had made a hostel booking in advance, and outside the airport was a man holding a "Sarah Janowitz" sign in front of a tuk tuk. He brought us to the hostel(which is REALLY nice) and we ended up hiring him for the day for $15 USD. He brought us to all the temples around the area, I think we made it to 6-7 different temples as well as an old court, and bath. The most famous of these was Angkor Wat.

The temples are obviously no longer in use, and many were under construction. It is absolutely amazing to see how intricately made these structures were. The carvings on the outside, the hallways, the roof, etc are done so precisely it blows my mind. The temples were really cool to see, and are one of the 100 wonders of the world, so I am certainly glad to have seen it.

The culture shock here is a bit more, but still completely manageable. The biggest difference here is the children to beg and try to sell you items. They pester you, and follow you, and don't leave you alone. It is really hard to see these kids, and know that they have zero money, and also know that if you give them money it just supports the cause.

I am exhausted and off to see the night markets this evening. One more night after tonight in Siem Reap, and then down south to Phnom Penh.

Goodbye Australia, Hello Asia

I got to Malaysia today from Perth, and once again it was a very early morning. My flight left at 7:15 am, so my taxi to the airport showed up at 4:30 am. I wish the cheap flights were not always the ones that were first thing in the morning.

There is not too much of a culture shock yet. YET! I have only been to the hostel and I think I will take the day easy, relax, sleep, etc. Tomorrow I will do some sightseeing. The woman (Sofie) who runs the hostel I am staying at (red palm, http://www.redpalm-kl.com/ ) told me to be careful of scam artists and purse snatchers. So with that said, I am going to try to be very careful. I am meeting up with Heidi and her friend tomorrow night at a proper hotel near the airport so we can get to the airport for yet ANOTHER early flight to Cambodia.

The cost of things here is so much cheaper than back in Australia. 100 MYR is about the same as 28 US dollars. So today I got some lunch when I got to the hostel at this little place next door, and it was rice, cooked veggies, and chicken for 5 MYR or $1.40 USD. So nice to be somewhere where things cost less than they do in Oz.

Tomorrow I will go to Chinatown and explore the city. It is quite humid here, not the dry heat of west and south Australia.

Today is my 11 week anniversary of traveling. crazy... time is flying.

wrong side of the bed turns into perfection

The Definition of waking up on the wrong side of the bed is: when you turn your alarm off at 4am, fall back asleep, miss your shuttle to the airport, take a $90 cab ride (should be a $30 airport shuttle fee), think your 5 hour flight is really 3 hours, and have a very bumpy LONG plane ride.

My trip to Perth started out as a nightmare, but as soon as I landed that all changed. I took a city bus to the center of Perth City, where I walked for 10 mins to Nick’s apartment. He had just moved in on Tues, and this was Sunday. His roommate moved in the night before, and there were two Danish girls also staying there. The cozy 2 bedroom 5 people apartment was sure to be an interesting week.

As soon as I got to Nick’s apt, we immediately headed to the beach. Cottelstoe. BEAUTIFUL beach. Ocean was so clear, gorgeous turquoise color, white sand, and the water was a perfect temperature on such a hot day. After a glutton fest of fish and chips (a standard beach meal) and hours of soccer, catch, soaking in the sun, swimming and relaxation we headed to the Ocean Beach Hotel for a Sunday Session. This can be compared to what I used to know as Sunday Funday. At about 5 o’clock the bar fills up with beach goers and everyone sits, chats, watches the sun go down, and relaxes in the shade of the bar. My nightmare of a morning quickly turned to magnificence and set the pace for the rest of my time in Perth.

Monday I got my bearings for the city of Perth. To my surprise the city is actually quite small. The CBD (city business district) is actually quite small in comparison to most of the other Capitol cities. Easy to walk around, except for this wicked heat that is following me around Australia. Monday afternoon the Danish, Chris (nick’s roommate who doesn’t have a job yet) 3 of Chris’s friends, and myself went to the park to play some soccer, and just lay in the shade. Like I said wicked heat here. The view from the park overlooks the city, and was spectacular.

On Tuesday, Chris, the Danes, and I took a ferry to Rottness Island. We rented bikes and snorkels once on the islan and rode around a very hilly island where around every corner was another postcard beach where we would stop, cool off with a swim, and a snorkel. Awesome day, yet very tiring.

Wednesday I was told that I was going to be “dragged” sailing. Shoot- twist my arm. I HAVE to go sailing. Dammit, I really don’t want to go on a sunset sail, with Champagne, sushi, chocolate, good company and the breeze at my back. It was remarkable!! Every Wednesday night the yacht club in Perth has a “social race” involving, sailing casually, drinking champagne, and eating yummy food while on the boat. Anyone can go, and because some boats need extra crew to raise the sails, everyone gets a boat to go on. Nick and his friend Jenna have been on the same boat for the last few weeks, and we were lucky enough to be back on it this week. It was all mid 50 year old’s and it was awesome. I had a great time chatting to the various Aussies on the boat, and I think they were glad to have a young American on board snapping her camera wildly with excitement.

I head off for South East Asia on Saturday morning, and I am super stoked. I booked my hostel in Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur) and I will meet up with Heidi and her friend on the night of the 15th where we are staying in a proper hotel before we head off to the airport early in the morning to fly to Siem Reap, Cambodia.

As a side note, I have been very very, very lucky to have not been affected by the horrible, and devastating fires in Australia. This is the country’s biggest “natural” disaster of all time. Unfortunately people have started most of the fires intentionally. The death toll climbs every day, and it is horrifyingly sad to read the paper and see the type of destruction that has been caused, and the families that have suffered. I am glad to say that I am 100% okay, and the fires are not where I am, but regardless it is quite sad to be here during this sad time for the nation.

surfs up dude.

Last week I did something I was pretty terrified to do, and I was more successful than I ever could have though.  No, I didn't sky dive. No, I'm still not courageous enough to bungee jump.  No, I didn't wrestle an alligator and win.  I surfed.  I know what you are thinking.  Sarah- why would you be terrified of surfing.  My response- because waves are really really scary.  I absolutely HATE being pulled under by waves, not knowing which way is up, being dumped over and over again, and not being able to breathe.  I am fairly sure this stems from when I was really little and got pulled under by same big waves in Puerto Rico.  (Ma or Aunt Jo, please correct me if I am wrong).  I seem to remember, (although it is entirely possible this is all a dream that has scared me for life) being pulled under by some waves near San Juan and my Mother, or someone close to me, ran in and helped me out of the water.  I am sure I swallowed a lot of sea water and as I said I am fairly certain this experience has stuck with me.  Anyhow- today I conquered my fears and went surfing, and let me tell you, I was a rock star.  

I took a day long surf lesson that a few of the hostels in the area recommended.  Not to mention, with a name like "Learn to Surf" it had to be god.  I went to Central Sydney to meet the pick up bus and at 9am these two VERY SURFER Aussie boys pull up in a 4 wheel drive car, and say to the 4 girls waiting that they are the pick up car.  Now normally, when you do any sort of day trip you get picked up in a marked van, or bus, or something official looking.  They check your name off a list, and off you go.  not this time.  The 4 of us look at each other as if "is this for real??"  and the 2 Aussie dudes and their dog, run off for coffee and we take off with one of them sitting in the trunk.  If I wasn't with 3 others I may have asked for some sort of ID to prove they were part of the surf company.  

Anyhow- We drove for about an hour and got to Cronulla (sp?) beach (south of the center of Sydney).  It was a VERY quiet beach, which is why they take us there.  I can't imagine trying to learn to surf on Bondi or Manly Beach since these beaches are ALWAYS wicked crowded. Once on the beach we learned how to paddle and stand on the board while still on land, and then off we went.  the first couple of attempts were complete and utter failures.  I wiped out BIG TIME.  However once I caught my first wave (please keep in mind these were TINY waves) I was golden.  I caught wave, after wave, after wave.  I am not ashamed to say, that I think I was by far the best girl out there.  Actually, I was probably top 2 out of everyone out there that day.  (there were about 25 of us).  Who knew?? Me being able to surf??  Although, lets not get ahead of ourselves, we were using foam boards which makes things easier, but I cant wait to get out there again and see if I can stand and "rip" with no instructors around.

My arms were sore from paddling (it doesn't help I got a tetanus shot the day before which felt like a wicked Charlie horse)  and I was totally beat, but it was one of my favorite days thus far in Australia.  I can't believe it took me so long to take a surf lesson.  Mission successful, but don't expect that this means I am adventurous and will be jumping out of a plane any time soon. :)

back in Sydney and not stoked

I got back to Sydney on Friday and honestly Im not very stoked to be back.  I liked it the first time I was here, but I honestly don't understand what all the hype is about. I think there are other places in Australia, with more culture, (I use the word culture very loosely) better beaches, nicer people, and overall just cooler towns for lack of a better explanation.  I feel as though when people from overseas think about Australia they think the epitome of Oz is Sydney, but I have found Sydney to be the least Australian out of everywhere I have been.  Don't get me wrong, it is a cool city, and I think everyone should see it, but with that said, it is at the same time, just another big city. ok ok, enough of my pessimism.  Let me talk about the great things I've done in Sydney since being back.

Friday night, after I took a nap at the hostel (I woke up at 3:30 am on Friday morning to catch my plane) I met up with my friend China for a couple drinks.  China is an English guy I met on Magnetic Island and he is one of the 8 or so people I traveled down the coast with.   Anyhow, what was supposed to be a quiet night of dinner and a movie at his apt with his roommate, turned into several, I mean SEVERAL bottles of wine later, and blaring Ministry of Sound into the wee hours.  

Sunday was beach, and I then met a friend in Coogee ( a beach town just south of Bondi) for a "massive night".  Dina is american from Colorado, and we met on Fraser Island. (remember the lessons learned blog? She was a part of that, but had nothing to do with the bad).  She lives in Coogee in what looks like a frat house with anywhere between 7-12 others, all american too.  It was SO dirty, smelly, buggy, etc... think back to university.  Remember those boys houses that had minimal furniture, and the furniture that was there was gnarly?? Yeah that is the house she lives in.  BUT I still had a great time.  They got kegs, and we played beer pong, flip cup, watched the Australian Open finals between Nedal and Federer, and had a great night.

Today was the Super Bowl, so we all went to a bar.  I walked in with my Pats jersey on, and surprisingly there were 3 or 4 others with Patriots gear on as well. The Steelers won.  Which is who I wanted to win.  However 99% of the people in the bar were cheering for the Cardinals.   It was a little surreal to be in a bar, drinking Budweiser, surrounded by Americans, watching the superbowl, at 10am on Monday morning.  hmm... odd. 

6 more nights here then off to Perth.  CANT WAIT for Perth.  I am staying with an  Australian guy I met in 1770.  Supposedly Perth is a realllly chill laid back place, and I think I may fall in love with the city, hope so.

night.