Adventures as a Grown Up

Living like and Adult?!?

So when I made the decision to leave my job back East, travel, and eventually go to Pastry School, I knew life would be very different than it had been for the last eight years. But- I guess I didn’t realize just how stressful and different it would be. Man this takes some getting used to.

I was just hired and finally have a job, however, I don’t know when I’ll get paid from it- and I don’t know what the hours will be like. Thankfully I have a roommate moving in and rent (while not that expensive to start with) will become THAT much cheaper.

Right now, the only bill my mom still pays is my Phone bill. Yes. My mom still pays my phone bill. Come on people. I have an iPhone and it’s expensive to have alone. BUT while I was traveling in Australia I decided to use my phone… after talking to AT&T I thought it would be less than 100$ if I used it sparingly. Ha- I was so wrong. The bill came and well it’s a lot higher than I thought and now I have to pay that.

So paying that, insurance, rent, utilities, school, and everything else has me in a bit of a tizzy because I’m just not making the kind of money I used to. Which is ok because I’m going after my goals- but it’s just an odd feeling to get used to; this living like an adult thing.

Adventures All Over!

I wrote briefly about visiting Cairns, Port Douglas and the Daintree.. but I’ve done even more since then.

In the last few weeks I took my first LONG bus ride and in 11 hours made it from Cairns to Airlie Beach. Thank you Greyhound Australia. You and your big red buses are fantastic!

Upon arrival in Airlie Beach, I went straight to my sailing company’s shop to complete my booking (reservation) for a sailing trip the following few days. Myself, my backpack, and about 15 other backpackers all walked up the street along the beach/cove at dusk to get checked in.

I ended up on a smaller boat called Siska. The crew was fantastic! Sobi, Nelson, and Jordan are the best people to take you sailing. Jordan has heaps of energy and Sobi and Nelson are so calm and yet fun too! I won’t soon forget Jordan’s white zinc nose dancing around the deck like a looney tune! Or saying we saw turtles each day thanks to Nelson’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles shirt.

After two days and one night of sailing, snorkeling, rain, hiking, stinger suits, and millions of fish and beaches we returned to shore and has a small after party at Beaches.

While in Airlie Beach I made some new friends whom I am now traveling with. Manuela and Jessica, an Italian and a German, met in Magnetic Island and I joined up in Airlie Beach. Together we took a 13 hours overnight bus ride in another fantastically uncomfortable big red bus from Airlie Beach to Hervey Bay.

Hervey Bay was not as fantastic as Airlie Beach! While Airlie Beach could easily become my new home, I don’t think I need to see Hervey Bay or Fraser Island again. Don’t get me wrong. It’s beautiful out there, but I just didn’t strike me the same way. Plus the Nomad’s hostel we were staying in was terrible and full of drunk 18 and 19 year olds. Yes, I did do the whale watching and saw some Humpback Whales in the bay. And yes, I did tour Fraser Island. But it was cloudy and dark; no sunshine so the blues were not as blue and the sand wasn’t as warm!

I think if we had done an overnight camping trip on the island and actually gotten to hike and see things, maybe it would have been better. We didn’t even see a dingo! We were so let down by the experience that when we ran into a young man from my sailing trip staying at Nomads too, we didn’t even have much to say. After two days at Hervey Bay, Nomads, and sharing a two toilet/two shower bathroom with dirty, annoying boys we left and heading for the city; Brisbane!

All I can say right now is it’s been a completely different experience in Brisbane than any of the other cities/towns I have been in yet. I love it. Things keep changing.

Cheers!

Cairn Cairn Cairn You do the Cairn Cairn in Cairns?

So I have been in Cairns (pronounced Cans) in Northern Australia since Tuesday; and I love it here.

For those of you who have been to Hawaii, think Honolulu but attached to a major continent!

This northern area is known for the Daintree Rain Forest and some of the best reef views of the Great Barrier Reef. It was first explored by Eurpoeans around 1770 lead by James Cook. He first was up in Port Douglas (which he named Trinity Bay). About 100 years later with the instillation of a railroad the city of Cairns (slightly south of Port Douglas) began to thrive. Also, during the Battle of the Coral Seas of WWII, Cairns was used as a port for the Allies!

Like my time in Daylesford, my time here in Cairns have been wonderful. 

When I arrived on Tuesday I had plenty of time to explore and enjoy dinner. I found this fast and wonderful little Italian place called Fasta Pasta and has my first meal with meat in it since the seafood cowder at Hepburn Springs. As I enjoyed my chicken gnocci and house red wine I decided that I would spend the money and sign up for some tours. I had toyed with the idea of renting a vehicle and driving around for the following few days but I was lonely and figured tours are a great way to meet people. Real deep thoughts over dinner eh?

So when I returned the YHA I met with the reception desk and asked a few questions. And so it was settled. The 15th of September would be spent exploring the Daintree and Cape Tribulation and the 16th would be spent on the Great Barrier Reef. And that’s exactly what I did.

I will post the details of both trips when I post the photos but here are the highlights.

- Crikey! I saw an Australian Croc…a big one.

- Hiked through the rain forest

- Swam in the river in Mossman Gorge

- Met up with the people from that tour and did Karaoke here in the city

- Explored 3 sites on the outer reef/continental shelf

- Saw a Reef Shark, Sea Turtle, Moree Eel and countless fish

- Didn’t get sunburned

- Hung out at The Green Ant local bar…off the main area of Cairns.. way chill

Today I spent exploring Cairns and it’s beautiful Esplanade and waterfront. There actually isn’t too much here other than bars and food and lots of shopping. This area is a pretty big base for travelers as it’s fun and tropical and since the drinking age is low here there are a ton of younger travelers here to party (not my cup of tea). But I’ve enjoyed it.

Since I have been so busy I haven’t really had the time to sit and think or ponder life as we know it. I think that’s ok. I am about to face some quality time on the Greyhound in the coming weeks for that. But tomorrow I head to Airlie Beach and the Whitsunday Islands

Right-O mates! I’m out.

Bakery/ Cafe Advice from the Middle of Nowhere

Thursday was my day off around the retreat center. I did my yoga in the morning with Ostii and go things together to make a vegan carrot cake. And in the arvo (afternoon) I was craving more than eggless bread, tofu, whole grain and veggies! Now, I like all of these foods but it’s been a week and all I wanted was a coffee with real milk and something with meat in it! (ok, I was craving Hawaiian pizza and chicken pad see ewe… But those could wait).

So… What did I do? Well I ventured into town. Hepburn Springs is significantly smaller than Daylesford but it’s only a 15 minute hike away. They have a post office, 4 cafes, a general store (seriously- Hepburn general store) and a pub.

My excuse to scope out where I would sneak my treat was that I needed to mail some things off and needed a notebook (that cost 2.50$! For a stinking spiral bound notebook!

Anyway. When I was done with the grown up part of the adventure, I happily strolled along main street admiring the blue and red balloons that now lined the 4 blocks of “town”.

I found out later the red and blue was to support the local favorite “footy” team.

I chose to stop for a coffee at The Chowder House! It’s run by Shane and his partner. As I walked in they were doing a bit of quizzy (trivia) so I joined right in. I only got 4 or 5 answer but they were so friendly it didn’t matter.

As I broke my vegan streak with a cappuccino and a bowl of seafood chowder, Shane and I got to talking. He is a graduate of the Culinary Institute in Rhode Island! He grew up there with his father. When he moved to Melbourne (where his mother lives) he opened a small cafe where he and John worked for a while. Then they moved out to Hepburn where they are now!

Shane was so excited about my baking and fairy cakes (cupcakes) that he couldn’t contain himself! I just sat and listened to him talk as I slowly savored every bite of my seafood. Salmon, shrimp, white fish, muscles… I had it all! But I was more interested in Shane’s advice.

Ultimately, his biggest thing was to start small. There is no need to but a big shop with dance mixers and what not!

That afternoon I took my expensive notebook and started my business plan.

John: Croatian/Australian Cementer, Carpenter and Carpetor

This week one of my tasks was to help John (jack of all trades) cement the wall up the hill at Ostii’s house. I don’t think I have ever worked with cement and I really just wanted to work in the garden this day. But I volunteered to help however was necessary. And as an “adult” I needed to follow through.

John is in his 60s (I think) and is a funny looking, quite rotund man with squashed flat face. He was having a difficult time getting the wheel barrel of sand and then mixing the cement, bending over to scoop it then lay it in it’s place. So, I helped with with all of it.

I carted over sand. I mixed concrete, sand and water. I shoveled it into buckets and took them up to John. Together we poured the concrete and while I was refilling the buckets he would smooth out our recent pour. This continued for about 6 hours.

As we did the back breaking labor, and I got dirtier abs dirtier, John would ask a question or give me direction. However his Croatian accent that he never really lost mixed with the Australian accent he picked up made it very difficult for me to understand him. Thus I reverted to the “smile and nod” tactic. I figured it was more polite than asking “what?” each time.

He asked a few times why I was here, what I did in the US. Where my parents were and what they did. He directed me in the right number of scoops of sand to cement ratio (which it took a few tries to perfect) and even showed me the art if “flinging cement” on to the wall we had to patch. He seemed content to mumble at me as he went and just enjoyed the help and company.

He worked incredible slowly. But I guess the work of cement laying is t a speedy job and why should it be. It doesn’t dry that quickly anyway. I have learned that many Australians work at this pace as well. Sure their work gets done, but there isn’t the haste, as there is in America, to move onto the next project. Maybe it’s just the vegan yoga hippies I’m working with. Maybe not.

Either way, Cities and cathedrals don’t get built in a day. Why would this wall? John reminded me to slow down and do what is necessary; and to end your work day at 2:30 ;)

Hoofing It While WWOOFing It

Over my week here at the Continental House/Hepburn Retreat Center I have come to be known as the WWOOFer… Not a volunteer.

WWOOFing is the World Workers of Oganic Farms and they are a group of people that move from farm to farm to help people with their organic goods in return from free accommodation. Well here, there isn’t really a farm but there is a 14 room guest house, two vegan kitchens and a few yoga studios. It’s my job to help with the upkeep and in return I get housing and food and use of the yoga facilities.

I have done everything from clean toilets, vacuum, weed, cook to help with concrete and grocery shop.

I only work 4 or 5 hours a day ad the rest of the time is mine. I spent most of it reading so far. Zalan gave me some interesting things on raw foods, sustainability and the vegan life style and Ostii gave me a book about meditation. When I’m not reading, I go for walks.

There are plenty of Weed Walks (hikes) in the area and it’s by so bad out there with a jumper (sweater) on. I have also walked up to the town of Hepburn (about 15 minutes uphill). Hepburn is small and has about 4 places to eat, a post office, a general store (the size of a living room) and one performance venue. That’s about it.

Just up the road about 5k (3ish miles) is Daylesford. Daylesford is bigger. Think CA gold rush town… Like Sonora I think. Shops, a library, Coles (grocery supermarket) and organic store, some pubs and little cafes like it’s streets.

As I walk along I still forget abs look the wrong way when I cross the streets but that’s ok. They seem to like Americans here.

The walk back from Daylesford takes just under an hour and is down hill. It’s a lovely stroll through the mountainous bush of Australia. Quiet streets with house set back from the road and spread put. They are unassuming and nothing grand bit sweet little country dwellings. Most of them have named their property… I’m not sure why yet.

I walk almost everywhere. I don’t see that changing as my adventure continues; at least it would be all mountains! I hoof it as I WWOOF it to help our world last longer, use less resources, save money, and because i can!

Cooking with Gas

Saturday night a group of yoga teachers from the Yoga Instructors Association of Australia checked in here at the Continental House. The came from all over Victoria and were incredibly nice.

While I was washing organic potatoes for dinner, Zalan (one of the managers) was setting out afternoon tea. This means it was about 3pm. Suddenly all of the lights go out and the zen-like music went off. I didn’t really think anything of it and kept washing. It wasn’t until someone came into the kitchen and asked to heat up water on the stove for tea that I realized the power was actually off.

Ok. Not a big deal. I know how to use a candle and a torch (Australian for flashlight) however, I didn’t being either with me and we were supposed to be preparing a vegan meal for 23 people very shortly! Well, since we were not having any meat-how hard could this be?

Zalan and Alexis (the contracted chef know for his Weed Walks exploring the bush out here) went right to it! We had to work fast as candle light wouldn’t do as much as the remaining day light. I set to work chopping veggies, slicing tofu, mixing sauces (plum sauce and pickled lime are amazing). And when we were done we has a feast consisting of stirfried buckwheat, corn and broccoli with gluten free spy sauce, tofu with carrots, corriander, seaweed (or Chinese meat as Alexis called it) green salad, fennel and olive salad, fresh sliced tomatoes, baked potatoe and carrot chips and soup! For dessert we has drag mango and banana with a coconut cream and cashew sauce with fresh dried almonds! All cooked/prepared via candle light and on a gas stove/oven!

Next is to try baking… Vegan. Zalan and Ostii say it can be done.

The Edge of Daylight

As we crossed the International Dateline I noticed that our plane was traveling almost perfectly with the sunrise (at least it looked that way on the tv screen I was looking at in seat 52D). From there, I watched the Sunrise over the Pacific Ocean…from the Qantas plane.. but it was a strange feeling. I felt this way last February too. Sept. 1 just didn’t exist for me.

I boarded my place at LAX at 11something PM on August 31 and work up on the plane and it’s suddenly Sept. 2! Crazy. A whole day just gone; interesting. But.. all that matters is that I get to Melbourne, Australia. Soon! THe anticipation of the last two weeks and what is to come is starting to get to me.

I am so excited and nervous all at once and am ready to just to see what happens! While in LA I saw the movie Eat.Pray.Love… again. I love it (The book is better, as always). The last two weeks have been quite a challenge and reseeing that movie reminded me of all the reasons I decided not to cancel this leg of my trip.

I know this isn’t the smartest decision money wise but it’s important to me to experience life. To learn to travel alone long term. To meet people and get over my fear of talking to strangers. To learn how to think about things and “mull them over” in my own time. To take my time. When else am I going to have 6 weeks to myself, to travel as I please? I just want it to get started. I miss my life in DC and the plans there and all that was going on. But this adventure is sure to be fantastic.

Like my plane was following the sunrise and daylight, I now feel like I’m on the edge of something. Right now- it’s just the edge of excitement of the unknown.

Or maybe it’s just Auckland, New Zealand.. after all one of the best advetised activitied to do here is Sky Dive or Bungie Jump! (Don’t worry- I’m not doing either! My travelers insurance doesn’t cover that!) Maybe it’s the fact that even with taking a Tylonal PM a 12+ flight will leave you drained…

Well- off to explore the airport… and maybe take advantage of duty free… maybe?

I have my phone on and with me here. I can receive text messages for free and sending them costs me .50. Feel free to text me but dont expect a response every time. Phone calls will cost me about $1.20 a minute! Emails/Data (ie Facebook) will cost too but hopefully I can find access to email elsewhere!