The Great Berry Trip

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     The first weekend in my new home and Easter arrives.  With my last class on Wednesday, my 5 day weekend started.  I had a interview to conduct Thursday morning with Alison Hemsley, and then went to the beach for the rest of the afternoon. One Friday I started off with homework and then got ready for my trip down to Berry.

      My buddy Chris invited my mates and I on the trip down the south coast.  I also bought My mates that I met the night before came along. Natalia was an exchange student from Spain and Cassidy was a local from Boulder, Colo. Both really superkickback and hilarious.

       We took off Friday afternoon. All jammed into Chris's little white car. The first stop was Kiama one of the nicest beach towns on the southern coast on Australia. It was a barbeque at a house overlooking the Kiama Bay.

      The patio had christmas lights strung out and a bricked fire pit in the back.   It was such a California style kickback, thrown by two brothers one named Josh (18) and Will (mid-20's). Josh was indie little rocker and Will was the former rugby star in high school. The crowd was so eccentric but worked.  The BBQ consisted of sausage on white bread (AUS hotdog), pizza, and beer.

Adam's Driveway

       After sunset the music got a little louder, Tame Imapala to Nirvana filled the speakers.  We cruised on around 9 to venture farther south to Chris's friend Adam. IT was Adam's 23rd birthday so we celebrate on his farm. A bubbling hot tub greeted us when pulled up. Even the large size pool was warmer. A pool party in the dark was in full motion.

        Not to long and I was ready to find a secluded corner and pass out. Chris found me and snapped a photo. The whole waking up to a picture of you past out on your phone is a common occurrence of me, at least I was on a couch this time. In the morning we made toast and espresso. The kitchen table overlooked the entire farm. Unaware of the beauty during the previous night, I was amazed at the place in front of me.

Lights Out

         Lucious green grass and volumoius trees spread the property. Wore wooden gates make large stable lots for the 5 horses, 2 more are not their, 7 all together. Natalia, Cassidy and I hang out with each one, each one unique.

• Heidi, sweetest horse ever.
• Genga, is the little rebel. He is still a young horse.
• Bobby and Roy are buddies. They are funny characters, Roy tried to eat my butt. Bobby was the older horses.
• And finally Gerry, he was the best looking horse. We loved to roll in the grass, it was a sight.

Mouse, mini horse

       Adam's farm also had two miniature horses.

"I don't even know why we have them," he said.

      One of them looked exactly like Donkey from Shrek. Now, in his driveway we walked up the picturesque path.  At the top the animal introductions continued with two goats. I couldn't help but see Kevin Garnett's face at this point. (Basketball reference for ya)

       Our little vaca carried on. 7 mile beach was next on our list. 7 mile beach is known as the best surfer starter beach in Australia. The waves are so keen (AUS slang for very sure/anticipating) for long rides. The fun part is crossing the creek before getting to the beach. You are in waist-deep river temperature water with a small current and then endless sand for miles. It delivered the best waves I have seen.

       Body-surfed for hours, we didn't bring any actual surfboards. Next time. We head into town soon for some grub. The Great Southern Hotel is choice where we load up on bistro style food. I got the nachos and of course they suck! Sorry but no good Mexican food in Australia yet.

         Pretty tired we head back home to Wollongong. Driving the roads here are what you dream of. The big ranches and farms put you back in the 1920's south. Some of the property still owned by the original owners. They have ocean front farms. Imagine waking up and walking to the edge of you property, which is the beach.  I was not expecting Australia to be so green. My buddy told me that this is one of the most fertile areas of Australia, just a few hundred kilometer inland from here and its the bush (AUS term for desert).

So far my Easter Weekend has rung in nicely. 

Chasing The Green: St. Patricks Day along the sea

      

    THIS IS TAME IMPALA

Favorite Aussie Band, so far

       The previous day at the volleyball tournament I failed to make any solid contribution. I decided to cheer on from the sideline. There I met Kristen and Irina who are both from Norway. After introductions they invited me on a St. Patrick's Day pub crawl.

     My answer was yes. "Meet at the party bus at 1 p.m.," she said. So there I was standing next to a sea of green tees. We filled two party buses. Whatever bar we were going to, it was about to get the wrath of 75 university students. There was those just looking for some good day fun and those who wanted to blackout their entire day.

    

     

       The first pub claimed two. We drove up the coast to a town known as Wombarra. There we picked a "local" bar to crash and did we. The local patrons we not to pleased but whatever it worked. I found a couple bagpipers for a photo-op. 

    

       Before I go on any further everyone was assigned a plate with a letter on it. Each letter represented a rank in a hierarchy. Based on your rank you could tell anyone with a plate lower than yours to drink. Well folks, I had the lowest. Hint: The Yellow L.

      

 

       After a couple demands of chugging, it was off to the next pub. We stopped in a town called Thirroul that is home to mostly surfers and bikers. There I made friends with a few of the locals. Two were lifeguards at Stanwell Beach.  I plan on seeing them again since I want to go hang-gliding off Stanwell Cliffs.

      Once we were all cut-off at that place we headed south back towards Wollongong. On the way back the buses stopped at the Seacliff Bridge. It is famously known for appearing in multiple commercials. We stopped off for photos and a slate (piss in Aussie). Everyone was disappearing into the bushes, girls and boys.

Andy and I trying to commit suicide at Seacliff Bridge

Ralph and Ryan: The Homies

The guy on the far left is the smart one....
there was a gust of piss.

Seacliff Bridge

THIS IS ANDY, HE MADE MY DAY.

     The last stop was in the northern suburb Fairy Meadow. The pub was known as The Patch where security guards were filtering out the wasted. I made it in, yes I did. Once inside the joint I finally got the long awaited 'snake bite'. It is half cider and half Guiness. The taste is amazing.

My Snakebite and I at The Patch

           Once back at the university, I take off with my newly formed best friends Ryan and Ralph to a house party. A mile down the street we enter through the back yard to a full on St. Patrick's rager. A goon bucket (Goon = Aussie for box wine) sits in the middle of the dance floor. The vibe was backyard chilling outside and dance party inside.

THE GOON BUCKET
You will black out every time you drink it, PROMISE!

       It was one of those house parties you imagine in the movies. Australian music is rubbing off on me. I love the electronic music especially. I really suggest checking out Tame Impala<- I Love this band, Flume and Urthboy. All of these artists were profiled in the Aussie edition of Rolling Stone Magazine.

     

No, I did not take any drugs!

       So I sat on a rug in the grassy back and chatted with my mates. Once the sun set, we headed for home. I walked back to the train station with the boys before getting a pizza to go.

  HAPPY ST. PATRICKS DAY!!!!
 

TAME IMPALA-Mind Mischief

Love This Song, "It Is Not MEant To BE"- Tame Impala