Schoolies

So apparently Surfer's Paradise is the main place that people from New South Wales go for Schoolies.  Basically Schoolies is a trip that everyone takes when they graduate high school, so I would say comparable to Spring Break in the USA.  Everyone goes with their friends and just goes out for a week straight.  Bonnie and all of her friends went to Surfer's for theirs and unfortunately Bonnie was not 18 yet (remember you can drink at 18 here!) so she did not get to experience all of the clubs and bars there.  We decided to have a mini Schoolies pub crawl so she could experience the places she never got to go to.  Over several days we talked to all her friends to find out the hot spots to hit up and then we were on our way.  While we were out there were endless amounts of American tour groups, most of which had on lanyards with their travel information and Australia hoodies (clearly they were underage but of age now that they were in Australia).  The bars were sooo much fun there and probably one of the funniest nights I have EVER had out.  We met some really nice Irish boys and they even taught me how to properly dance like the Irish. (So do you ever see real life leprechauns?)

These guys were actually hilarious and perfect examples of the tattoo obsession in Australia

Looked like Americans by the shirts, but nope they weren't

Just learning an Irish jig or two

Our dessert obsession: Chocolate fondue at Hog's Breath Cafe!

Surfer's Paradise

View from our balcony

The next stop on our adventure was to Surfer's Paradise, which is located on the Gold Coast.  I didn't know much about this area, but I think it is pretty comparable to Florida for Aussies, a very vacation spot, everything catered to tourists.  There are tons of high rises and amusement parks all located on the beach.  Of course there is a lot of surfing there and it is one of the main spots for surfing competitions.  The place we stayed at was right on the beach and we even got upgraded to the deluxe room, which included a TV!!! kitchen and balcony. (big step up from the last place we stayed at)

It was very sunny and warm here, but not warm enough to lay out everyday.  We did spend some time on the beach but we also explored different areas and even went for a boat ride.

Part of our room

Clear blue water

Sunset

Biggest building in Surfers-Q1

Wooo I'm on a boat

Amazing houses on the water

Windy and cold after our boat ride but still lots of fun

Underwater shots in the heated pool

Cover bands are my thang

I think that this was literally my favorite day in Cairns.  Bonnie and I were just casually walking around by the water, having my favorite kebab for lunch (think gyro but with chicken and bbq sauce) when we heard music near by.  Turns out it was just some random band playing next to the water so we put down our towels and layed and listened to them for a good 2 hours.  The singer was AMAZING and played a couple original songs, but also so much other great stuff (Goo Goo Dolls, Mumford and Sons, The Fray, even some hip hop like Usher and Jason Derulo).  They really could do no wrong and sounded great singing everything.  It was so nice to have a relaxing day and the best part about it all was that it was fo free!  It felt like the perfect summer day with good friends, sun, and music.  Bonnie decided to buy their cd, which we proceeded to blast in our hotel at Surfer's Paradise all day everyday.

Can you think of a more beautiful music venue?

 

P.S. Lead singers name is Marcus Cappellazzo and this was our favorite song.  "Sad to See You Go" It was about his girlfriend leaving to go back to California.  We changed the lyrics so he would say "Chicago girl please don't go away".  Also he played that night at our hostel so we got a double dose :)

Just Dance

Our favorite drink

As I mentioned before our hostel was connected to a night club so of course we had to go out a couple of nights.  They had some great deals for people staying there so we definitely got hooked up.  This is when I came to the conclusion that just because someone looks American doesn't mean they actually are.  My American radar is pretty good (northface jackets, button ups and polo shirts for guys), but in Cairns I could not believe all the different languages I was hearing and all the different places people came from.  And boy can those European boys dance, it is actually quite hilarious to watch them!  Bonnie and I got involved in a couple of dance offs (of course we had to considering we knew all 5 songs that they were playing) which was great fun.  Even met a fellow Chicagoan one night (And I should mention he was a Sox fan!)

Just dance!  I must mention we started the dance floor this night. So proud.

Watching the State of Origin having no idea what is happening

The infamous "GREEN DRANK"

Won $20 at the pokies #winning

Hello Mr. Koala

View of Cairns from the skyrail

One of the place that people kept mentioning in Cairns was the Kuranda Rainforest.  It is a really neat place!  Basically you ride up on a skyrail (so think what you take when your skiing only these were fully enclosed) then you take a train home, all of which is through beautiful scenery.  There is actually a town when you get to the top with lots of cute little shops, restaurants, and zoos.  The restaurants had endless amounts of gluten free options.  I was so amazed that this little town was so aware of food allergies and was chatting it up with all the bakers.

I was really excited about the zoo because you could pay extra money to hold a koala bear AND get a professional photo taken.  Of course I jumped at this opportunity!  The koala was pretty nice, just grabbed onto me, and hung out.  There was no one in line behind me so we got to have a little moment together. (and no he did not pee on me or smell bad like everyone said he would!)  Then I got to feed some kangaroos, although the ones there were pretty lame and didn't do much.

Partner in crime on the skyrail

First stop: more waterfalls

Mr. Koala

My little buddy

Besties

Finally found one that would accept my food

After this trip we were all waterfalled out...never seen so many in my entire life

Beautiful Cairns

Train ride back

Trip to the Great Barrier Reef

Looking like a small child but ready to go!

 As some of you might know, this was not my first Great Barrier Reef experience.  I went there five years ago with my dad, but unfortunately I had mono and did not get to fully appreciate the experience.  Although I did still go in the water and swim around, I made it a point to make the most of the trip the second time around. 

The boat ride out to the reef took about an hour and a half and this was the BUMPIEST boat ride I have ever been on.  Bonnie and I just kept looking at each other hoping that one of us would not throw up.  Thankfully we made it to the first location safely.  Not everyone was required to wear wet suits but of course we wanted to "suit up" and look as legit as possible.  It was pretty wavy out there, but it was really neat to see all the coral, especially the spots where you could get right up close to it. (but of course not touch it)  I realized how terrible of a swimmer I really am and felt like I was swimming as fast as I could to stay with the group and was still lagging behind the entire time.  That being said I have no idea what types of fish or coral I saw, although it all looked good to me! 

We took a break for lunch and then rode to another location, thankfully it wasn't as waving driving there.  The Great Barrier Reef is quite a site to see and I would definitely recommend that people go scuba diving there if interested (the people sitting next to us did and they had some pretty sweet pictures).  Scuba diving is not for me, but we had a great time snorkeling!

Eyes closed again

Under water shots

Chased after this fish for awhile.  Pictures don't do it justice!

Captain Matty

Freezing

The photos just don't do it justice. So beautiful!

The first excursion we went on was a waterfall tour with the best tour guide ever CAPTAIN MATTY!!!  Words cannot describe how great this guy was.  He picked us up at 7 AM with a massive hug.  He then heard my accent and said your American let me see your teeth they must be nice.  We were to refer to him as Captain Matty throughout the entire day.  He had the BEST stories like I cannot even tell you how many things he has done, places he has been, and amazing stories that he has from them all.  The group we went with was filled with people from all over, the Irish girls were for sure my favorite because they were absolutely hilarious.  It was a long day, but we saw some amazing sites and had a lot of laughs.  I still talk about Captain Matty often and miss that crazy man!

World's biggest tree or something like that

The first of many waterfalls

Captain Matty and his awesome van!

Another waterfall

Never been so cold in my entire life!

 

New friends attempting to do a jumping picture