WINTER in AUSTRALIA 2009- 1

Jules and George’s time in Australia seemed to go by very fast! (especially Jules’ 3- week visit)! The first day we arrived in Australia was spent unpacking and shopping (mostly for groceries). The girls were in bed by about 7pm that night. Our jet lag woke us all up early our first morning here and by 5:30am we were all out on our balcony putting together our new BBQ.

Brent and I planned a trip to the Hunter Valley (wine country) for Jules and Georgia’s first weekend here. Jas (another Canadian classmate) also came along. We stayed at the YHA, played lots of ‘Pictionary’ and went on a wine tour around the valley. Jules and George also got to see some kangaroos and some Australian landscapes (which they didn’t think was much different from home!).

Before Jules and George headed north on their tour of the coast, we managed to venture into the city a few times for a meal in the Rocks and a show at the Opera House. While Jules and George were touring up the coast, Brent and I worked on setting up the apartment. I jumped right back into school and Brent started the job-hunt! Brent also spent some time mastering BBQing kangaroo steaks- which was very successful!

Jules had about 6 days in Sydney after traveling up the coast before she had to back to Canada. It sounds like J and G had an incredible time snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef, bungee jumping, and bush-walking on Fraser Island. During their 6 days in Sydney Brent took them surfing at Manly beach and hiking in the Blue Mountains.

We wandered around circular quay, walked around Darling Harbour, had ice cream at the Lindtt café, and ate some kangaroo steaks at James Squire (one of my favourite restaurants in the city). We also had a housewarming/goodbye BBQ for Jules the night before she left so she could meet some more Aussies!

The Opera House

May 2009

The next month or so was a bit of a blur. Georgia ended up getting a job at one of my favourite bars/pubs nearby in Penrith- and worked there a couple nights each week. We made sure to see the Stanly Cup Final which happened to be playing at the pub she worked at in Penrith on the Sunday morning.

We also took Georgia to a NRL (National Rugby League) game nearby before she left. I hadn’t been to an NRL game either so it was nice to finally get to one! The Panthers stadium is a short walk away from our unit in Penrith, so it pretty neat to be able to walk to the stadium.
George left in mid-August but managed to get to the Gold Coast for a trip with her friends from UBC for about a week before then. We were sad to see her go, but were also happy to finally have our own place to ourselves for the first time ever!
I’ll write more about our “winter”/summer in my next posting. Miss you guys!