A week turned into two days

Upon arrival at Katoomba mountain lodge I had full intentions of unwinding, getting some groceries, fitting in a cat nap and cooking a good dinner.. But we all know how traveling with no plans goes!

I went to walk to the view site of the three sisters where I was approached by two girls from Germany- in that moment I didn't realize how much I would learn from them.  They asked if I wanted to join them on their afternoon walk to the Leura Cascades, little did I know this walk would become a 5.5 hour hike!!!!!
It was magical. Walking through the lush green mountains, birds chirping, I really felt like I had hit the jackpot. Gesa and Johanna are both from Germany, but opposite ends! Both are 19 and are staying here in Australia and looking for farm work in the north. It was such a pleasure to chat with them. We discussed everything from religion to slang in both countries!
The Leura cascades were marvelous, the small waterfalls were so beautiful I'm having a hard time expressing their beauty.
Panic set in when the sunset and we hadn't found our way back yet. Luckily I had my headlight, my flashlight and matches just in case!!!
When we made it back we made plans for a hike in Blackheath called The Hanging Rock. From the time we left our hostel to the time returned to the exact spot we had been gone 7 hours and 14 minutes. 6.5 of those hours had been walking and hiking!!! The hike was amazing, difficult but so worth the magnificent views. You could hear waterfalls without seeing them. The wind telling us stories along the way. The scares of bush fire burns painted the trees. It was a truly breathtaking hiking, literally and figurative :) I wasn't brave enough to cross the small opening connecting mainland to the hanging rock-- looking down was scary enough!! Eventually we returned and I had plans to sit down and figure out what hike I would do the next day.
 During dinner I met the most wonderful character, Fabio. Of Belgium and Pakistani decent Fabio has been living, studying and teaching equine studies at the University of Melbourne. He was looking for land for his horses for when he retires next year. He told me he was returning to Melbourne after three weeks of looking for properties, looking at rental houses and finding a barn. I told him I wasn't able to travel the great ocean road my last visit to Melbourne and was hoping to get back there eventually... At this point he stopped me and said what are you waiting for, I told him I wanted to hike a few more days and he said I could always hike when I return to Sydney with my mom... He proceeded to ask me "would you like a ride to Melbourne tomorrow? I am leaving at 6:00 AM" I hesitated at first-- I slept on it. The next morning I was up at 5:30, had one cup of tea and was on the road by 6:00!!!!! So much for a planned week in the mountains -- but I got two memorable days with Gesa and Johanna!!

The journey was amazing- 12 hours 44 minutes from Blue Mountains to Melbourne. It was Thursday of Thanksgiving (but really Wednesday in the states). Fabio told me stories about his broken relationship with his mother, his horses, and his friend Robert whom lived until 107. When Fabio asked Robert the secret to living so long he gavee him three reasons. Unaware of where I was staying that night I started walking to hostels, the first too expensive, the second too much of a party hostel, finally I arrived at The Ritz... I took a nice long hot shower and had a nice evening meeting people from the hostel. Most of them from the UK looking for work or already working and paying rent by the week to the hostel. A big group of them were going to explore the great ocean road this weekend, knowing I was already planning on going with Fabio Sunday I didn't inquire about details.
I went to sleep about 11 with no plans for the morning so I slept in!!!
Yesterday I walked to Ackland street and while the US was celebrating Thanksgiving I enjoyed a cappuccino and a sweet treat from Ackland Street famous for cakes and pastries! I walked into the city and explored the Melbourne museum for the afternoon!!
Fabio gave me a ring today apologetic and saying he had a meeting with the realtor blah blah blah so I walked back to the hostel and asked around seeing if they had already left and one gal had mentioned they had room for one in the car leaving this afternoon!!! So I am going to pack right after I hit publish for this post and will keep ya'll posted on this crazy fun adventure I am having!!!!

Trains, planes and busses

I am currently on the train to the Blue Mountains where I will spend a week hiking various areas of this beautiful national park. 

The tree tops began to appear through the the cracks of the city skyscraper windows and slowly my smile became brighter. I knew I would be less anxious as soon as I made it outside of the city. Immediately my mind went to the feeling I get when I pull up to Devils Thumb Ranch in Tabernash. A feeling of overwhelming calmness and complete peace. 

I am currently listening to Wade Imre Morissette's song and the lyrics "Flowing on the inside and thriving on the outside. Clearing on the inside and accepting the outside." perfectly describe what I want to say! 

I hope that my travels not only encourage me to continue pursuing my dreams but encourage others to travel and sit at coffee shops and talk to barista's and try different kinds of chocolate from New Zealand and to create their own story. Stories with ups and downs, panic times and flawless plans that unravel at ones fingertips. 

As I look out this train window lush green rolling hills extend for miles and miles each standing tall, beyond them even larger mountains appear. Kids hopping on and off at each train stop dressed in their school uniforms. 

Over the speaker the conductor just announced about the cutest thing ever. "Three minutes to wentworth falls stop. and mother this is where you will get off. I repeat Shawn's mother this is where you will get off. You're beautiful see you later tonight."

And she is in my carriage!!! And laughing and smiling and looking a bit embarrassed!! 

Hahahah and again!! "Arriving at Wentworth falls in one minute, again Angela, shawn's mother, this is your stop please be sure to get off"

Cheers my friends, I will write of my mountain adventures upon my return to the city in a week or so. 

Kali 

Scuba Diving the Great Barrier Reef

Note: this blog failed to post last week! It is not in the correct order. But enjoy! The Conservative Diver: Volume 1, Issue 1

Yesterday was the most amazing day in Cairns. I checked a major event off my bucket list: scuba dive the Great Barrier Reef. I honestly believe that the experiences one has on this type of activity depend on two things: the dive master and your own attitude. 

Before I start a series of short stories, each one within a story, I must thank my father for teaching me to be the most conservative diver and to respect the sea. Thank you for teaching me to be calm under the water, to be aware of my fins, and to be a good dive buddy. 

The morning started at 5:54, just minutes before my six o'clock alarm was to go off. I could not keep my eyes closed any longer knowing what an amazing day of adventure lay ahead. To the ship we went and we were off. 

Josh, PADI dive master greeted me as I joined the other certified divers, anxious with anticipation to get under the water. As we began to suit up the cards were in my favor. I was paired with a very nice girl from Boston who I would soon have to trust with my life (in case we needed to share air or become separated from the group or some strange occurrence). After our double buddy check to inspect gear we were ready to rock and roll. 

My initial decent for dive one (location south Hastings) took about three minutes, I waited patiently every 4-5 feet for my ears to get adjusted and to try and attain consistent bouncy. By the time I had straightened out my breathing and slowed my oxygen intake my mask began to fog up. As the salt water trickled into my mask I really thought I was going to have an issue! The calm and conservative Kali said "what would dad do"? With one relaxing breath, open my mask went and cleared right out. 

The visibility wasn't great the first dive, but it was still magnificent to see the colors of the coral pop. Shades of purples, blues, yellows and browns all surrounding me. 

The second dive (location north Hastings) was flawless. We saw a white tip reef shark, many schools of nemo fish and tons of sea cucumbers! Visibility was so much clearer on the north side of the area. 

When we returned from our dive I got to join Savannah for a short snorkel and messed around with Andrew's GoPro for a bit!!! Let's just say I need some practice with it!!! 

After our long day on the water we went to dinner and drinks with a few mates we met on the boat. Theresa a young high school graduate from Austria traveling solo, Ben an aspiring actor from London who was extending his work trip - turned vacation, and an American boy from New York! 

Today was our last full day in Cairns and it was exactly like a commercial for Sandals -- walking along the water, sun bathing in tropical surrounding, and eating of course! 

Tomorrow we fly to Sydney where we will spend four days before Savannah goes home and I stay!!!! 

Thanks to all who are following along on this journey via reading my blog. Hope you are enjoying it! 

Cheers, 

k 

Not A City Gal

Although the last few days have been great weather, good company and good eats, I am definitely not a city girl!! Sydney is booming- with skyscrapers and people. It reminds me of being in Chicago that one time and being totally anxious the whole time. It was fun to walk through the CBD but getting lost in it made me frustrated!!! The roads go everywhich way and you can easily get turned around quickly.
Seeing the opera house with my own eyes and walking across the Sydney harbor bridge with my own to feet was truly an amazing experience.
After Savannah left on Sunday I began to make my solo travel plans. Figuring out where I was going to stay Sunday night was the highlight. Luckily my friend Connor (whom I also backpacked in Europe with) was living in Surry Hills. Sadly he goes home today and I'm really solo!!!
I walked to church Sunday and by the time I had arrived the liturgy was over.  I still got to light a candle and say a quick prayer before joining a nice young American Greek fellow for coffee. Meeting him for lunch today before heading out of the city and to the Blue Mountains area where I will be exploring for about a week or so.
Yesterday I sat down at the most quaint cute little coffee/bakery place. It was called bean&berry. The barista is what made the experience of coffee and toast so memorable. Just great conversation with a total stranger was almost magical. Her struggles, her triumphs, her story. Raw-real- and I am so thankful she shared with me.

My favorite part about Sydney; the harbor. Easily. I love the water. I am so excited to be back here in a month to explore with my cousin Maggie and our mothers! There are so many things I've still gotta do. Bondi to Coogee walk, the Spit to Manly, and have dinner in The Rocks. So many things so little .... Time? Time doesnt exist in my current vocabulary. That's what the one way ticket was for!!!

Until next post,
Kali

Heaps, keen, arvy, and pawpaw

The accent! I have never heard a more fun accent. "How you going?" Is my favorite saying so far..
The pace. It reminds me of living in Italy, there is still hustle and bustle in the city but outside the city, in the burbs, it's very relaxed and more my style! Everyone is calm and collected and school doesn't start until about 9!

I couldn't have asked for better first few days. Our exploration started in the city, with Fed Square and the iconic graffiti alley just off the square. We traveled outside the free tram zone toward Kilda St and saw marvelous bakeries filled with the most beautiful pastries I've ever seen!! First regret: not trying one. The next day we visited the Melbourne zoo and I can now say life is complete because I witnessed Koala's!!!!! With my own eyes!!!! Savannah and I were keen to do some shopping around the Queen Victoria market that arvy and it was just like an OC swap meet! It's a must when visiting Melbourne, (Wednesday night was better than day).

I went for my first run yesterday and got so wonderfully lost it was amazing. I saw an episcopal church which always reminds me of my freshman college roommate Anna, and a gorgeous Catholic Church which reminds me of my mum and two of my lacrosse girls ;) I strolled through lots of small parks, witnessing school children playing around in the grass, business men catching the tram home, and a few fellow runners keeping fit.
After our long day we headed out towards Brunswick where a very dear friend of mine lives and works. We got a bit lost on the way, getting off the tram too soon -- twice. We finally asked for directions and the young adults we asked immediately took out their phones and looked it up for us! The kindness and willingness to help was incredible. The response once google maps loaded was "you're heaps far, you don't want to walk that!!!" Back on the tram we got and on our way to Mr. Wilkinson's Bar.
 I met Julia while I was backpacking in Europe, Barcelona to be exact. Julia's the very gal that introduced me to pawpaw, my favorite ointment for chapped lips, dry cuticles and "nappy rash" which I don't have because nappy rash is diaper rash. It was so special to see her because we share such wonderful memories from traveling together. It's cool meeting new people and hearing their stories and sharing in the making of memories together.

It's our last day in Melbourne and even with the overcast weather we are going to make the best of it!! Will keep you all posted soon :)

Cheers,
Kali

Backpacks and Butterflies

As I wait in anticipation for my 14 hour & 55 minute flight into Sydney, Australia, the butterflies are starting to wake up and nerves are kicking in. I have been asked numerous times "what are you going for?" and the answer is not entirely clear. I have the travel bug, that's for certain.  And sometimes I say I am having a mid-twenties crisis, literally 25, and unclear of my future career path. But for real, there is just something that excites my soul about traveling to new places, meeting new people, and experiencing activities that I may not be able to explore in my own backyard. Sleeping in train stations (thanks Joe, Connor & Colin for that memory) and getting wonderfully lost in new cities makes me happy. I want to be rich in memories, not things, and I'm well on my way to being a millionaire in memories.

First and foremost I must thank my PARENTS. Because this next adventure would not be possible without them, thank you for not charging me rent, for feeding me, and loving me unconditionally. And thank you to those of you who have told me THIS IS THE TIME to travel. You reassure me that it's good to go now -before having a family, kids, and a career. Nothing is holding me back from adventure, except for an adorable puppy that I will miss dearly, but he is in good hands with my sister & my mom.

It's funny when you tell people you're traveling to Australia, they know someone who knows someone who knows someone that's in Australia. My uncle Alex just sat down at the kitchen table, and if you know my Uncle Alex you know that he is a character, he sat down and told me he has a very good friend "over there" who would love to take care of me. Guess I have to take a trip to Adelaide one weekend.

My backpack is packed, although I must have taken everything out and repacked about 15 times to see what I can get rid of so that my pack is lighter. Every ounce counts. So I said goodbye to two shades of lipstick, a can opener, and water shoes. However, I'm rethinking the water shoes at the moment. Hmm. Departure is Sunday November 8, 2015.

Until next post,

Kali