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. 

A day in the life of a student in Wollongong

Australian pack of cigarettes really
cater to the customer. ($20 a pack)

      

 It was a beautiful day and a great night here. All started with a load of laundry and my first "real" cup of coffee. I finally made it to the market and bought me some good instant instead of the hotel package crap coffee. After sucking down three cups I hung the clothes to dry on the lines because in Australia they do not really use dryers.

       I got ready and laced up my tennis for a run down to the beach, which is about five minutes away. Once to the sand I run along the wet sand for about another 5 minutes. Already drenched in sweat from head to toe. You got to love the humidity here. Took the easier way back along a forestry trail. Once I arrived back at the hotel I was notified that a last minute planned trip to Nan Tien Temple was about to depart. I really wanted to go so I changed without showering, I know gross but got to go.

        Cruising down Highway 1,  I don't know if they are called highways or freeways here. Twenty-five minutes south of Wollongong we arrived at the largest Buddhist Temple in the Southern Hemisphere. As we approach the stairs to the temple the serenity just takes over your whole body and you instantly lose any thought or worry you had been pondering. Silence overcomes the atmosphere. Once the initial awe wears off the inspirational feelings start to arise and I feel that empowerment of control come back to life.

     The main shrine has five giant Buddhas all representing some virtue (Longevity, Wisdom, Inner Beauty, Peace and Confidence) but I was not allowed to take any pictures because of the significance to the temple. I was however able to take a picture of the Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva in the Great Compassion Hall.  This was the second Buddhist Temple I have been to in my life and I plan on seeing more.

     The next adventure of the day continued down south to a beach town on the coast call Kiama (ky-am-ah), NSW. First, we stopped at the point where you can trek out onto the rocky hills and enjoy the beautiful view of the Pacific Ocean. I tried to capture a spew of ocean water escape from the blowhole but it was kind of shy today.

                   

               Once we grew sick of watching the turquoise waves pound against the dark rocky cliffs and shoot huge white spray into the air we headed to city square. I chowed down on some tempura prawns and chips, B- grade. With my stomach full there was only one good activity to burn off the "carbage" and that would be shopping at the local "op" shop (thrift store). Of course I found a treasure, a white mini dress for the all white-party taking place tonight.  Four dollars for a dress, score.

Australia Life

Aussie native fashion, model: Hanah

         Back at the casa, Ari, Alyssa, Heidi and myself (all foreign exchange, 3 USA and 1 Icelandian) take off for the night. On campus all the new students to Uni (university) met at the Unibar (sick bar on campus, will post me pictures soon) for speed dating. Systematically I got matched with more girls but we made it work.  

The line outside the club. No wait for us :)

                        In the process I made new friends and ended up back at their dorms for pre-drinks and then we were off to a night at The Grand. The Grand is a club that included a variety of areas: casino, billiards, lounges, bar, dance floor and outside area.

American Roomie Ari and Alyssa

Dance floor Packed

         Music was amazing the dance floor was packed and the drinks were flowing. You have to be careful here though because the date rape drug is big here.  I was already pretty "pissed" before I got to the club. 

Kid in the middle is the dummy who pulled the alarm.

       You know it was a good night when you have all your stuff, a load of pictures and a sore body from dancing. The only thing that could have gone better is not waking up to a fire alarm at 2:45 am because some lads decided to pull it. A $750 fine before school even starts will not sit well with the parents, poor kid.