Town in the middle of the Rainforest

July 1

Well it is July! Time is really flying, and my time in Cairns is going to be go..go..go! Today, we all boarded the bus early in the morning and headed to the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. After a little gift shop shopping, we soared over the rainforest in a 6 person gondola for 2.7km. We saw the tops of ginormous trees, blue butterflies, a waterfall in a gorge, and the coral sea in the distance. It was a clear day and you could see for miles 360 degrees. The first station was Red Peak Station, where we tagged along a tour guide, and traveled through canopy layers of trees in the Rainforest. The second station was Barron Falls, where we saw the waterfall up close from an awesome lookout. The third, and final station, was Kuranda terminal. Kuranda is a small town in the middle of the rainforest with little shops, amazing opal stone stores, small cafe’s, a pub, and shops. I had an awesome homemade doughnut and iced lemon tea. 

(COLIN!) 

From there we headed to Port Douglas, but stopped at this amazing pull off over look on the side of the road for this view....

From there, we boarded the bus again and headed to Port Douglas. Port Douglas is like Saratoga on steroids. It was amazing- gated golf courses, a river on one side the coral sea on the other, expensive shops.. it was everything. We were only there a short amount of time, but it was just enough to eat a chicken snitzel at a restaurant and layout under a palm tree overlooking the river.  

                                           

After getting back to the hostel - NoMads, showering, and eating a really disappointing $3 dinner… nothing exciting really happened, we just to bed because we needed to wake up at 5am for an amazing adventure the next day. 

Magnetic Island

After arrival on Monday night, we headed XBase, where we got ready for Boozy Bingo! This was my favorite night on the Island, people from all over the world were there and we were all singing, dancing, and having a great time together! We played bingo and drank Jugs (pitchers) all night long. 

Tuesday, I woke up on an island! I guess I never really thought about it, but any expectation I would have had was definitely beyond met. The living conditions was like camping, a small triangle hut with 4 sets of bunkbeds and a light that overlooked the ocean. A little walk down the boardwalk brought you to an outdoor bar area with music, lights, the beach. It was dark when we arrived late Sunday night, but boy was it beautiful! 

We didn't waste the day woke up early had breakfast and caught the public bus (there are only 2 on the island one that goes to Horseshoe Bay & Picnic Bay)- very easy to navigate. The first adventure was to find Horseshoe Bay: we did. It was beautiful, but not the place where we wanted to spend our day. 

We ended up at Alma Bay and to say it was breathtaking is an understatement, Crystal clear water, the softest sand and giant boulders (perfect for climbing) surrounding the barrier of the beach. There was also a pizza place with delicious wood fired pizza and gelato! 

After laying out on the beach until we all had goose bumps for being so windy. It was an early night, caught up on some sleep! 

On Wednesday, Monet and I woke up early to go Horseback Riding. This experience was amazing. We rode through a wooded area and then ended up barebacking it into the ocean! I rode a horse (named Bronson) into the ocean! It was incredible and majestic! 

From there we hiked The Forts, where I saw 5 wild koala bears and breathtaking views. 

Afterward, lunch was eaten at the pizza place again! I had bbq pulled pork and a garlic pizza ( I was so hungry!). The night ended back at Xbase where I devoured a burger and fries and a couple cocktails. Once again the night ended a little early, around 9:30pm. Good sleep was a must! 

Today, Thursday, was an early morning where we got the ferry and were back in Townsville by 9am. On the bus once again, we made our way up to Cairns in Far North Queensland FNQ. (it is pronounced CANS). We stopped at a little town called Cardwell for early lunch, and then continued through a little detour to Josephine Falls- there was a suspension bridge,which was really cool. It overlooked this little waterfall and a park. From there we ventured to Cairns! The hostel - NoMads is okay - very basic accommodation, 2 plugs for 4 girls in the room, very hot, and an airport very close. We had a pretty great meal, even though it took 2 hours… Oh well no complaints- time for adventure this week! Looking forward too The Great Barrier Reef, Sky Ride through the rainforest, white water rafting, and celebrating the 4th of July here.        

Bruce Highway

This post is written while traveling north up the eastern coast of Australia during day 3…

On Saturday, the official start of the 2 week trip began. We stayed local and explored the Sunshine Coast. An early 8am start, Abby and I (bus captains) boarded the coach bus to start the adventure off! There are 27 of us in total, including 17 pre-service teachers, 1 girl who is only here for the 2 week class and the trip, 2 pe major girls from Cortland just participating in the trip, Laura (a friends grandma) and another friends parents. 

The first stop was the famous Glasshouse Mountains. This scenic view is the reminiscence of a volcano and has great meaning to the Indigenous people of Australia. The mountains are a story and represent a family. After a quick (and freezing) stop at the overlook, the journey continued forward. 

The next stop was the Eumundi Markets. Food, crafts, art, music, homemade, homegrown- it was all there. For some this experience was very unique- for myself it was like a bigger farmers market the you would see in Woodstock, NY. The highlight of these markets was a potato slinky I had the pleasure to experience! 

From there we ventured to Noosa. TALK ABOUT BEAUTIFUL. This area was gorgeous - clear water, fresh food, and a national park with a coastal hiking trail. As a group we hiked the 3+ mile costal path up and down sand dunes and along the edge of cliffs.Pictures don’t do it justice, but some are showcased below. 

Finally, Saturday ended with a stop at Colin’s pub and mudslide!

On Sunday, we caught the bus outside of Newport at 8am and began the track up the coast. Our first stop was Montville - a little town with not much in it. We continued through cattle land - so may horses, cows, and goats!   

We stopped at a pub in Rockhampton, where we had arvo (afternoon) tea - i.e. a schoony (beer). Fun fact when ordering a beer at a bar you have to say the size: Pot = small Schoony = medium sized Pint = the big one ( or just a regular size bed in the states). 

We continued… and finally reached our destination of Emu Park. (sadly none of us saw any Emus) and this is where I ran to the beach and touched the Coral Sea!! 

We stayed at our first hostel i.e. a backpackers - this one was called Emu Beach Resort. It was so fun and had much meaning for this trip. Inside the pub was a signing wall - everyone who has been on this trip has signed the wall for the past 14 years - it was so cool. We all enjoyed cheap drinks (really good drinks!) during happy hour from 6-8pm. We sang and danced the night away! 

 

Today, Monday, was an even earlier day. 5 am wake up to have brekky (breakfast) and board the bus for a 6:30am departure. 4 hours north we stopped in a small town Selina for an early lunch. 3 more hours in the car for a quick stop in Bowen, to then drive more to Townsville. From there we all boarded a 6pm ferry to travel to Magnetic Island where we will be staying the next 3 days. 

While driving up the coast we say: 

The great dividing range. (basically mountains with dense rainforest on them). 

Cattle, cattle and more cattle. 

Sugar Cane. 

Tropical fruit trees.  

Running around Mooloolaba

I have been running everyday here on the Sunshine Coast. There is a beautiful coastal pathway along the pacific ocean perfect for biking, runs, walks, and walking dogs. There are always people exercising young and old. There is even a exercise park spot where you can stop do some arms or abdominals- its great, FREE GYM on the ocean- what could be better? I am very excited to be maintaining my drive of physical fitness and take some me time everyday rather 25 minutes or an hour. 

Funny story: when I got back from my run on Wednesday, I got into the elevator at my apartment and an Aussie native walked in in a winter jacket and hat. Mind you, I was wearing shorts and a running jacket, sweating with a beat red face. He says ‘Wow, good run? Must have been harder to catch your breath with the chilly weather..’ My response, oh no this is perfect weather i’m from NY. It was a whopping 17 degrees celsius or 65 degrees fahrenheit- the perfect running weather. I had a good laugh. 

Wednesday night was also the rugby league game- Queensland vs New South Wales The State of Origin. I was expecting a Red Sox vs Yankee rivalry intense sports bar scene. To everyone’s disappointment it was calm and collected. Friends and I bounced went to Taps to get wings and fries and to explore the beach. Clumsy me dropped my phone in the ocean… its currently in rice and TBD. 

The two week trip is in 2-days time to pack, clean the apartment, get some necessities and get ready to ride the bus! I’ll be a bus captain on Saturday with Abby, update coming soon. 

Lights Out, Host Teacher

Yesterday we experienced a power outage due to a tropical storm here on the coast. We had no lights from 5:30-10:30 - it was pitch black, luckily the hallway emergency lights were on and we all gathered in the hallway on the 1st floor. Some painted nails, others read the text book, some just chilled out- We called Colin (our supervisor) to keep him up to date with the current situation and he honestly found some comic relief from it, which we as a group were thankful for and found entertaining ourselves. 

Today, I visited my placement and met my host teacher, deputy principal, and executive director of my school. Everything is so real now, and feels too good to be true. I will surely be kept busy at my school, for my teacher seems to have a great relationship with all colleagues and is very involved in multiple aspects of sport and in school and club. I am very excited to start my student teaching! 

Today was also just a half day so as a group, myself and others all spent the afternoon laying on the beach enjoying the sun. It was beautiful today- the calm after the storm perhaps. I also ran 3 miles today down the path along the ocean. I almost started crying with the beautiful views! I could have ran forever by the ocean, in an out of shaded paths, watching surfers, jogging by coffee shops and life saver stations, finding hidden paths that lead to tidal pools on the beach, observing people picnicking on the boardwalk looking out into the ocean, dogs running freely (and turkeys?!??), and so many people enjoying a gorgeous Monday afternoon workout beside me.

Nat and I made make-shift homemade spaghetti and sauce with chicken and broccoli with toast for dinner, YUM! 

The moon is HUGE tonight, and a beautiful sunset is the perfect ending to everyday over the ocean.  

School Visit: Curramundi State School Primary Campus 

School Visit: Meridian State College 

School Visit: MY SCHOOL MOUNTAIN CREEK STATE HIGH SCHOOL 

Week 1

It has been over a week, here on the other side of the world! Lot’s of rain, considering I am on the sunshine coast… With blistered feet, sand constantly in my hair, and the joy of a constant breeze blowing through the apartment I am so happy. The only thing I feel a lack of is communication with home, and the access to a gym. 

The school visits began, I have been introduced to State Schools and Colleges (state schools- public funded schools with separate campus’ primary prep-yr 6 and high school yr7-yr12 *most of the time. Colleges are prep-yr 12, but have 3 different campus’ all integrated in the same place) I will be at Mountain Creek State High School and I get to meet my teacher on Monday! I am very excited. 

The schools we have seen have been focused on hospitality- at Meridan State College, a meal was prepared by the students - including kangaroo, crocodile, and prawn. I ate all of it, and actually liked it- crazy! 

This weekend: Saturday was a day spent on the beach, I could definitely get used to this lifestyle. Mooloolaba is a pretty small town on the beach filled with coffee shops and little boutiques. It is really beautiful, and whenever we talk to Australians, they are in aww of the Newport Apartments, where I live. 

I am preparing for a week ahead: school visits Monday-Wednesday and finishing up class at University of Sunshine Coast Thursday and Friday! Saturday is the beginning of the sunshine coast outback adventure. 2 weeks of traveling by bus, staying in hostels, and emerging myself in the true Australian lifestyle. To be continued! 

Link to where I live on the Sunshine Coast: http://www.newportmooloolaba.com.au 

menu prepared by the students:

First Day at USC

Today was my first day at the University of the Sunshine Coast (USC). Got the bus at 7:25am and returned home at 4:45pm. After drinking Flat Whites all day (3-4cups), I have no idea how I am so exhausted at only 7pm. The 10th floor of Newport Apartments is so windy, that with a mix of ocean waves crashing outside my window. 

At USC, I witnessed some incredible architecture, much like a Florida school campus. (I think that is how I would compare it). I began learning about Australia’s government, geography, and educational system. Did you know only 24 million people live in this whole country as opposed to 350 million that live in the USA? I thought that fact was so interesting. 

On a side note: Finding Dory comes out on Thursday, and I couldn't be more excited. Also, I went on another 2 miles run this morning, which I hope to continue doing throughout the program. We will see! Another classroom day tomorrow, followed by 2 days of visiting schools to finish off the week!