The Land of Oz

Well we made it to Oz!!!

After a very long flight and a layover in Fiji we made in to Sydney at last. Our packs weigh so much when you have to walk all over the city to find the right train and make sure you don't get lost on the way to your hostel but we survived the many ups and down of traveling so far across the world. We got to see the Opera House by ferry and then walk along the harbor ate some pasta and got some gelato to end the evening with a walk around the Opera House and some fun pics. Amazing! Traveling to Brisbane was not near as difficult as we were picked up and dropped off at our hostel... The Yellow Submarine!!!! Our room was YELLOW hahahahaha we had to get our VISA label so now we are officially legal! Woo Hoo! After a LONG night of hearing everyone in the place either talk, stomp, knock on doors and whatever else you can dream up we woke the next morning and had a nice breakfast at a cafe on the corner and headed off to the bus station to catch a 5 hour bus ride to Rainbow Beach where I am now writing to you all.

It's gorgeous here and the sunset on the beach was wonderful. We are two of 6 people to start this adventure together. Emma is from England, Micheal is from France and Kevin and Stephani are from Germany. The Germans had never been to the ocean before and were absolutely adorable as they quickly got unto their swiming suits and dispite the nip in the air they ran into the ocean and swam out to see. I of course was very nervous as I've been obsessed with the water and the many dangers that lerk in it but they returned safely to the beach right before dark and had the biggest grins on their faces. Tomorrow I think we will all venture out there when it's warm... I don't know how far I will venture as I'm chicken when it comes to BIG WATER and KILLER SHARKS but I think I will do my best.

As you can see from my pictures we got to stop at the entrance of Steve Irwins Zoo so I snapped a quick pic just incase that's my only encounter. Now I'm not one to like Zoo's but I think that zoo is one I'd like to visit. We shall see though.

We are here for the entire weekend and on my birthday no less! Yay! Danielle got me the coolest present EVER! It's a t-shirt that says Jesus is a Cheesehead and a picture of Jesus wearing a Green Bay Packers Cheese Head!!!!! I always knew! hahahahaha

It's been crazy to say the least and to top it off it's hard to be happy during all of this. My very dear friend Melvin Neely passed away the day we left on this year long adventure. Although I said goodbye to him it hurts that I could not be there for his family and the ones I love so deerly during this tough time. I am dedicating all my work here in Australia to Melvin as he so wanted to work for jsut a month on a station here and experience life in Australia. He told me he would watch over me and help guide me over the next year and I believe deep down that he is already with me on this new journey. I want to send out all my love to the Neely's during this time. I miss you, I love you and I wish more than anything that I could have been there as support for you. I love you Melvin thank you for teaching me what you could and opening your heart to me. I will carry you with me wherever I go.