I refused to come back to the USA so I went to Australia to
spend the week with one of my best friends who is studying there for the semester. After a
brutal 11 hour layover in Kuala Lumpur, I made it to Sydney around 6 am. The
week was incredible and wonderful and I wish I never had to leave. However, it
was freezing. It’s their winter now, and coming from the blazing shores in
Malaysia, it was quite the shock to my body. I’m too lazy to go through
everything that happened in Australia, but below are some highlights.
Taylor was in her last week of classes technically when I
was there, so I didn’t want to be a burden. This was very much a vacation for
me, and I wanted to relax. Therefore, I only had a very mini bucket list of
things to accomplish while in Australia.
#1 See the Sydney Opera house
-we accomplished this on the very first day while walking
around the gorgeous Sydney harbor. It’s surreal to see such an iconic building
in person
#2 Go surfing
-It’s Australia! I had too. Side note many people here are
EXACTLY like the Australian surfer stereotypes, especially in the Wollongong
where Taylor is studying. It’s awesome. One of her friends took me out surfing
on the beach next to her dorm and holy cow was it hard. I got to wear a wet
suit so I didn’t freeze and to make it more legit. The waves continuously slap
you in the face and standing up after catching a wave is tricky, but I did it!
Once. But still, pretty good for my first time ever sufing! I was better at the
body boarding.
#3 See a Kangaroo
-With all the crazy animals in Australia I at least needed
to see a kangaroo. We went to a wildlife sanctuary on Friday and I got to see
and feed and pet kangaroos to my heart’s content. So many ‘roo selfies!! I also
got to see various other animals and Koalas- which are possibly the cutest
things you’ll ever see in your life
That was it! My Australian bucket list, complete! We did a
few other awesome things as well, such as going to a throwback prohibition
whiskey themed bar in Sydney Saturday night and ended up at the casino (I
straightened my hair for the first time in 4 months... what a feeling!).
We explored Wollongong, took long walks on the beach and ran
to the lighthouse past the wharf. I got to tour campus, and work out at a
really nice gym as well as run around the botanical gardens near her
university. I met some really awesome people, Australians, Europeans, and
Americans, and I never wanted to leave. I took a ferry to Manly, where a food
fest was going on and I got to shop and watch all the local surfers show off.
Speaking of food, I got to eat TWO delicious pancake meals in Sydney, exactly
what I’d been missing in Malaysia.
Honestly though, it was very low key, very relaxed, very
Australian. The perfect ending to my study abroad and a perfect transition
before jumping into home life and work and summer.
