Okay readers, I must ask you to bear with me on this post- I had way too many pictures to chose from, so instead of picking the ones not to use, I just posted all the ones I really liked. Needless to say, this is going to be one long post!! But hopefully you will enjoy the photos- I think they say a lot more than words could =) and if it's too much, just skim through and glance at 'em.
So- this weekend we had a lot of fun, and were thankfully blessed with great weather! It was sunny all weekend, with only some clouds on Saturday morning which cleared up quickly. But don't let me get ahead of myself! Last I left you, I had just seen the new Harry Potter movie. On Wednesday night, after I wrote my blog, Saleh and I decided to go down and check out a student social on the first floor (mostly because they promised free food haha). When we got there, the gathering was over, but they had two huge boxes of pizza left over. They practically begged us to take it, since they didn't know what else to do with it. So, we took the two boxes back up to the office and had a little party of our own!
The pizza was actually really good! We couldn't eat it all, so we saved the rest for Thursday night too. Yumm!
On Friday after work, Xiaomin invited us over to see her new accommodation. We know her from the Claremont, where she was staying before. She moved here from China for two years, studying at Monash University. Her place is actually pretty close to the Caulfield campus.
Here is all of us in her room! She was basically leasing one of the rooms of a house. There were two other tenants there, in their own rooms, plus a married couple who owned the place (the landlords). The landlords seemed nice, and they owned this adorable bunny that just hopped around the house!
So yay! We made it into an Australian home! (That was one of our objectives, and David's house unfortunately didn't count)
We all went out for pizza down the street and we shared an Aussie pizza. I figured out it is pronounced "Ozzie" pizza when the waitress gave me a funny look after I order an "awe-see" pizza. Haha. Apparently what makes a food "Aussie" is having egg in it. So our pizza actually had a cooked egg on the top right in the middle. I have also seen Aussie burgers, which have egg in them, but I have not tried one yet.
The pizza was very good. Although, after having pizza for the third night in a row, I was definitely ready to have a different food for my next dinner. =P
Xiaomin enjoying her pizza.
Mmmmm... cheesey!
The next morning, I had to get up at
6:00 AM!!!! Haha, ouch. Because a tour bus was coming to pick us up at 7:00 AM to take us to the Great Ocean Road!! Thomas came with us on the day tour again this weekend. When I walked outside a little before 7, this was the foggy scene that I saw. Pretty cool and mystic- no one was around and everything was shrouded.
Thomas and Saleh ready to go! We had a different tour guide this time- his name was Eddie. To be honest, we didn't like him much at first, because he was a bit grumpy and not very friendly in the morning, unlike our last guide Peter. However, by the end, he grew on us and we liked him a lot. His humor was very funny too, once you understood it, because he was very sarcastic- and half the time I couldn't tell when he was kidding or not. By the end, I realized he is pretty much always kidding lol. He drove us out to the beginning to the Great Ocean Road, and just getting there took us about an hour. But once we got to the coast- it was beautiful!! The first stop was Bell's Beach.
This is a famous surfing beach, although we didn't see too many surfers because the waves weren't very good for surfing that day, and the tide was too low. On a good day, Eddie told us that the water would be simply packed with surfers. I enjoyed the beach a lot- because I love beaches. Why do you think I ended up at UCSD? Haha, JK, but I do love the ocean. I could have stayed there for hours- but Eddie always kept us moving because he didn't want us to miss any time at the stops he knew were still to come. His phrase he would always yell at us was "Come on guys! This isn't a two-day tour! One day- let's go!" Haha, by the end of the day, we were yelling the same message at each other for fun. I think Saleh was trying to take over as tour guide he said it so much.
I was really struck by the beauty of the Australian coast- it was simply amazing. Here's Steph and Liz on the shore.
Our tour group!
The PRIME kids- we took a lot of great group shots during this trip. Teri- take note! Haha.
Down on the sand! Too bad I was wearing tennis shoes- although the sand was more rough than soft, not like La Jolla sand at all.
Climbing the rocks- which were all over. I would be nervous surfing at this beach! I'd be afraid of slamming into rocks. But the waves were certainly big! Eddie said sometimes they get up to 3 meters tell- about 9 feet!!
I could tell from the shore how rough the waters were. Good swimmers only!
Heading back up to the van.
Saleh and Thomas enjoying the view- Saleh of course behind a video camera.
The sun was up by this point and all the overcast clouds had cleared up- our beautiful day was starting!
Some of the surfers out in the water. It must have been so cold!
Michelle, Steph, and Liz.
Bell's Beach from above.
UCSD pride!!
Liz and me!
Steph climbing on the rocks too.
So beautiful...
Wheeee! I love this pic- jumping in the air! Look at Liz's hair haha. I couldn't miss out on the fun, so I joined in and...
Haha. I don't know how Steph got her legs so straight.
Flying PRIMERS!!!
Thomas and Stephany.
Me trying to explore in the tree forest behind the beach. Australia is so green right now, much thanks to the higher than normal amount of rainfall lately. It made the pasture lands we drove through very beautiful and green. I realized how dry and brown So Cal gets sometimes- being a desert and all.
Stephanie trying to make the shells that Michelle found whistle.
Saleh playing beautiful music.
Our bus crew that we traveled with all day. They were all fun to travel with- and we actually knew a few of them because they had gone with us to Phillip's Island last week. Some of them would lag behind though, and once Eddie left without them! It was hilarious- and we couldn't believe he actually left them! He had been joking about leaving people the whole time, but then he actually did! He went back for them after he dropped us off at the next stop, just a few minutes away, so don't worry- they made it home.
We stopped at the famous Arch, which was put up to commemorate those who built the road in the early 1900's.
The girls in front of a statue of workers. The road project was a big help after WWI when a lot of men needed work- reminding me a lot of projects started in America after the depression to give men work.
Saleh and me working hard to help build the road!
A nice reminder along the way. They must know a lot of tourists travel on this road haha.
The road ahead- sometimes Eddie drove so fast I thought our bus was gonna tip over! But he got us there with no problems.
Another beach we stopped at to break for "cuppa and bickies" (aka. coffee and cookies). On a summer day- this beach would be covered end to end with people enjoying the sun.
A magpie! Which we call penguin birds- because they remind us of penguins with the black and white coloring.
Our next stop was a trek through the wilderness on a search for wild koalas! There were lots of them in this area- although many of them were pretty high up in the branches of the trees. This was a lot of fun- trekking through the brush with no path or anything.
This koala had a baby!!! Can you see it? It is in the mother's arms. So cute!!
I wanted to pet them. But of course we did not.
After that we kept driving to another lookout. Here is a picture of the road behind us. It reminded me a lot of PCH (Pacific Coast Highway, also known as Highway 1) in California.
Michelle and me at the lookout.
Eddie standing on the wall. He told us not to jump off. Saleh, of course, did not listen...
However, he managed to catch himself on the way down while falling and pull himself back up!! Very suspenseful =P
All of us with the beautiful coastline behind us.
Wow, right?
Aaaaw, ain't she adorable!
Michelle, me and Thomas standing on the ledge. We didn't listen, and we jumped over the wall too =P
We stopped at Apollo Bay for lunch and to refuel. There were some weird statues there, one shown in this picture. And hey look! Liz is as tall as Saleh!!! hehe
Doing their best seal impressions.
I really liked these trees- they look so cool!
The beach at Apollo Bay.
Taking in the view and fresh ocean air... so refreshing!
This cute dog was waiting for his owner to come back, so we went over to pet him. He looks happy about it!
He was very friendly. We grabbed sandwiches for lunch, then we all got back on the bus and drove to a rainforest!
We took a short hike through the rainforest, which was covered in ferns and leafy trees.
It was very wet too! As all rainforests are I am sure. Here's a little river we crossed.
One of the big trees that provides shade for the ferns and undergrowth.
The "dodgy 6," as Eddie called us.
Haha, I'm not sure what Michelle was doing, but it looks like she is attacking Steph.
More rainforest...
The wooden path we walked on through the plants.
Some different trees (I'm not sure what they are called) near the end of the trail. Very tall and skinny, with a nearly-white colored bark.
Finally, we reached our final destination- the rock formations! It was breath-taking, and I rediscovered my love for rocks. These first pictures are of the Loch Ard Gorge- where many shipwrecks have taken place. The water is so blue and clear here!
I just couldn't seem to take enough pictures! We ran around trying to get to all the lookouts we could and check out all the trails there were.
Steph loves Liz!
The beautiful sky above an Australian landscape.
A mouse we saw on the pathway! He was definitely not scared of humans- because he let us get pretty close.
Stalactites!! I was so excited!
Michelle's "kangaroo on the beach", which turned out to be seaweed haha.
Is the Captain in you?
Liz had to stand on her toes for this one! I accidently stood right in front of her lol.
I love this picture! Michelle & me =D
And me & Steph!
More stalactites! And speliogens!
Beach view- we hiked down to the sand for a lower view.
Look at the stalactites!
PRIME!! 2007
A cool looking water cave!
Muttonbird Island.
Cliffs along the coast.
I still cannot believe what good weather we got! Here's me.
All of us again. The dodgy 6.
The 12 apostles are probably the most famous rock formations there. I'm not sure if there were actually twelve at some point, but we only saw 6... I can't explain. I think some were not visible from our lookouts, plus one of them fell about 11 months ago so it's not there anymore.
The remains of the fallen apostle. (Judas? Haha jk)
The 12 apostles, with the setting sun behind them.
We were able to walk all the way out onto this cliff. If you look closely, you can see the people on the top of the rock out there.
Another view of some of the 12 apostles.
Amazing Michelle... simply amazing. Priceless.
2 more apostles on the other side of our lookout.
The girls standing on a random circular bench.
Walking down Gibson's steps to go onto another beach! I love that we got to explore so many beaches on this trip.
A semi-waterfall down the face of the rock. I'm not sure where the water was coming from... but it was very mossy on the rock due to the water!
The steps we walked down (and back up).
We were innocently standing on this rock when a wave came up and surrounded us!! A very perilous situation if you ask me lol.
Liz popping out from behind a rock.
The sun setting behind 2 apostles. This picture seems kinda surreal.
The HUGE waves!! You couldn't pay me to swim in these waters!
Michelle and Steph looking out.
PRIME! Can you tell we are spelling out PRIME? I think we win the PRIME picture award of 2007!
Another captain picture. I can't seem to get enough of those haha.
Cart-wheel!
Yay! Our beanies we all bought at the Queen Victoria Market! They kept us so warm- it was amazing. This was the end of our day, as we all climbed back on the bus for our 3 hour ride back to Melbourne City. We watched a movie on our way back, since it was dark and we couldn't look out.
After all his threatening about taking a picture of us when we fell asleep, Saleh was the one who passed out! Hahaha, poor tired Grandpa.
On Sunday, we rented bikes in St Kilda beach to ride them along the bay with David and two of his friends. It was a beautiful day, and this is a picture of St. Kilda. It reminded us of Laguna Beach, and the little stands you can buy things at along the beach.
There was a small amusement park right along the shore in St. Kilda. If you look closely at Steph and me you can tell we are scared of being eaten by the clown.
This is me- exhausted after our 4 hour bike ride. My butt was so sore! As well as my shoudlers and hands lol- I am so out of shape! But it was a lot of fun. David is an amazingly good bike rider!
Liz and Michelle turned out to be really good and fast on a bike! It was hard work for me keeping up with them.
A view up the beach, with the city in the background.
The pier near the coffee shop we stopped at for a break.
Michelle next to her bike.
Me and Thomas by the pier.
Liz with the bay behind her.
Our group when we stopped at the coffee shop. We somehow were split up from Steph and Saleh, so they stopped for a break at another shop.
Very fashionable, Steph!
The place we rented our bikes from.
Saleh was pretty speedy on his bike too.
Liz speeding by! It was a very fun day. Then we went home and lazed around. I read Harry Potter (the seventh book- I'm half way through!) and we made ravioli together for dinner.
And now here we are on Monday! Ready for another week of work and fun...
Cheers!
One accomplishment I have made at least is being able to make a mean latte =D Haha.
This is the ceiling in the entrance to the casino- very cool! We sat on the stairs and stared up at it for a while. There was also a fountain that looked pretty interesting, except it had been turned off due to Australia's water restrictions (since they are coming out of a drought).
Liz on the stairs in the entrance.
Stephany with the entrance hall in the background.
I was playing with colors on my camera- so this is Liz's fried rice with only green showing. Which turned out to be only peas hehe.
Michelle ordered some tofu and sushi.
And here's the sushi showing only green as well. Once I figured out how to show only one color, I just couldn't stop playing with it haha.
Saleh sporting his orange shirt.
Here's a pic of the band that was playing. The guy in the back on the bass was rocking out the whole time. He reminded me of a Jamacian because of his dreads.
The bald white guy rapping!
On Saturday, we went to the Chadstone Mall- which was a huge place! We walked around, and I tried dim sum for the first time- it was so good! I tried the red bean filling, with sesame seeds covering the outside, which is fried. I can't believe I have never had it before- I am now addicted! It was a lot sweeter than I expected too (which is a good thing =P). Here is Liz on the train on our way to the mall. Again, I am playing with colors!
Steph & Michelle- all blue!
Here is Steph asking the taxi driver how far the mall is, and if we could walk there or not. Believe it or not, Saleh (the one boy) dragged all of us four girls to the mall. A bit opposite of what you would think yes? Lol, we gave him no end of jokes about this too. Saleh was the one who made us go to the mall, let it be known!! We have never made him go shopping with us- it was the other way around! We ended up hopping on a bus which took us straight to the mall, since it was pretty far from the train station.
That night, Anil- who we met at The Claremont before he moved to his apartment- invited us over for dinner. John, Andres, and Mauritz also came over, so we definitely took up all the space in his apartment! It was a nice place though- he lived by himself, and it was a pretty big place for not too high of a price.
Here is our delicious meal- real Indian food! In the bowls are Indian sweet, and behind those is a platter of fresh fruit. Past that is a tortilla-like bread that we dipped in a spinach mush and eggplant dish. Our main meal is the chicken (in the very back) with rice (in the plastic bowl). If you look closely, you can see our homemade cake that we brought to thank Anil for having us all over. 
We ate SO MUCH food- we were all stuffed. Here are Michelle and Andres with their best pregnant look, because their bellies were so full. Lol- I couldn't believe what a good pregnant impression Andres could do!
And of course, we all had to try and make the "John face" which he loves to do in photos.
