Ten Days up the West Coast

I can't believe how long it's been since I've written a post, actually, it's been too bloody long! My ten day west coast tour was actually over 2 months ago now but it was ten of the best days I've had since I've been in Australia, so it definitely needs writing about. Not only did I experience some amazing sights, I did things that a year ago, I never would have dreamt of. All of this with a great group of people.
In the first couple of days, Toby, our lovely tour guide, smashed out about 16 hours driving, in between stops for snacks and the inevitable iced coffee (my new addiction) I never knew how much I could actually sleep on a moving vehicle! The first night we spent in the creepiest little place you could imagine, seriously, there were weird ass tools hanging on the wall, and an old school cot in the hall. Genuinely felt like I was in a scene from Wolf Creek. Once we had settled in though, we cracked open a few beers and all helped prepare dinner, so it turned out to be quite a nice evening.

Our hastiness in the morning to leave was slightly crushed when 30 seconds into the journey our bus got stuck...in mud. I think we were there for a good hour and half, running around in search of flat objects to try and wedge under the wheels. Despite it delaying us, it was a good way to bring us all together....plus it was frickin hilarious.

So the next two days we spent in Karijini!! This place was most definitely the highlight of my trip. Karijini National Park is by far the most beautiful place I have ever seen. We spent two days, hiking around gorges, swimming in beautiful lakes and waterfalls, strategically climbing through the spider walk and walking down the handrail. The two latter were a bit of a challenge for me, I've never done anything like that before, and at the time I remember thinking (particularly with regards to the handrail) that if I had been given the option, I probably would have said no. I am ridiculously glad I wasn't though because they were such great experiences. To be honest there's very little else I can say about Karijini, because no matter what words I use or how much I try and describe how every gorge and pool made me feel, it really wont be enough. Hopefully some of these pictures will do the talking though.

The Handrail

Coral bay. Where do I even start. Although it probably sounds quite ridiculous, the idea of snorkeling has always made me feel slightly nervous. Over the years I've developed a small fear of putting my head under water, so when the suggestion of going out on a boat to snorkel for the day came up, I was hesitant to say the least. When I came out here I brought with me a few cards that family and friends had given me with supportive messages, just in case I ever needed a pick me up. One particular sentence that has really stuck with me, is something that my brother Luke wrote "Take every opportunity and have no regrets". I know I know, you might think it cheesy or cliche. "Just do it", "Live it". But that line has really stayed with me and encouraged me to do things that fear would normally have forced me not to. So with that mantra in mind I experienced an amazing day that I will not be forgetting easily. Being there with some of the girls I met on the tour was such a massive help too, We all got on so well and they really helped me when I first got into the water. It took me a few minutes to actually go under and get used to the snorkel, but once I had taken that first breath, I didn't want to go back up. The outer part of Ningaloo Reef is considered one of the best reefs to snorkel in the whole of Australia, and in some parts, even better than the Great Barrier Reef, and I can completely understand why. Just the structure and colour of the reef is mesmerising, let alone the hundreds of beautiful fish. The main attraction for this particular tour was that we were going to be able to swim with Manta Rays. Now don't get me wrong, it was incredible swimming above these massive fish, and its not something that you get to do everyday. For me though, one particular turtle was the highlight of my day. There I was, swimming along, and out of the blue, this amazing turtle started swimming up next to me. For at least four minutes it was just me and him, gliding along side each other. Well, he was gliding, I was more...wadding. That was pretty awesome.

I'm not going to go into too much detail about all the other activities as this is already becoming quite a long post. Karijini and Coral Bay were the two that I was really itching to write about. Monkey Mia was a lovely morning. Its the edge of a beach where dolphins come to be fed on a regular basis. They have about 3 feeds a morning and it means that you can get really close. We spent a good two hours getting in and out of the water, watching them eat and play. Ive never been that close to a dolphin before, they're kinda funny looking!

Shell beach was another really lovely way to spend a few hours. Its a beach made up of.....yep you guessed it, shells. Australia has a knack of coming up with really inventive names for places.

The Stromatolites at Hamelin Pool were a sight and a half! Its one of only two places in the world where living marine stromatolites exist. They're considered living fossils as they're more than 3.5 billion years old! Something I'm very glad I got to see.

Saying goodbye to everyone at the end of the tour was actually a bit emotional. I became really close with our little group, and knowing that I most likely wont see any of them again, was quite a harsh reality. It was honestly ten of the best days I've had since being in Australia and I made memories that are going to last forever!

  

Life in Perth

I can't believe I've been in Australia now for 2 months! I mean seriously, where has that time gone? Looking through photos this afternoon I came across this little beauty.

Me and some of the family at the airport.

I may have had a smile on my face but deep down I was bloody terrified. Terrified to get on that plane, to not know anyone, to be away from my family. Its amazing how quickly I settled though and how quickly I've adjusted to hostel life. Apart from my little trip down south with Lena well over a month ago, my time has been spent in the same hostel here in the centre of Perth. Although there can be some disadvantages about living in a hostel, my overall verdict is LOVE. I have made so many friends here its crazy. When you live in a hostel you meet new people every other day and then the people that stay for a period of time become best friends because you're always around them. I mean, don't get me wrong, I haven't loved everyone, some people I've met have been complete bell ends, but the ones I have, I've become really close with. Even though creating friendships with new people is probably my favourite thing about hostel life, it can also be the worst. Its very hard not to get attached to people, so when it comes to saying goodbye, it can be very difficult.

So although I love the hostel I'm in, a change of scenery was definitely what I needed, so on Sunday I checked out and checked into a new hostel a bit further away. Long story short the place had a nasty infestation of bed bugs! ERM, no thanks! I didn't even stay one night, I returned to the YHA Sunday evening and actually felt quite happy to be back!

So my next 6 weeks will be spent working and staying here in the hostel. Ive got a few things on the ol list that I want to do before I leave, a visit to Rotnest Island is fo sho on the cards. Come the 13th of March though I'M OFF. I've booked THE most amazing trip up to a place called Exmouth and then back down to Perth. Its a 10 day trip in which ill be visiting so many places including: Coral Bay, Kalbarri National
Park, Monkey Mia, Nigaloo Reef, Pinnacles Desert. The list just goes on! I honestly cannot wait. Its also nice to have something to be saving for, instead off pissing it all up the wall!

So life here is good in Perth, work is mostly a laugh and weekends are spent around the pool sunbathing, and getting a tad merry!

Dunsborough and Margaret River with Lena!

It's been bloody ages since I've written a post, its ridonkulous! I went down to Dunsborough and then Margaret River four days after, nearly a month ago, and I can't believe I haven't written anything about my time there, because it was the best week and a half I've had since I've been here.
The hostel location in Dunsborough was fucking amazing, I kid you not. When the driver called out that it was my stop I honestly could have peed myself with glee.

I mean seriously, that was my garden for 4 days!

So while we were in Dunsborough, Lena and I rented a car, which was sooooo useful to just go where we pleased, and obviously so much cheaper than doing day tours where you have to pay towards transport. We did so much in those 4 days. Stand up paddling was FO SHO my favourite. We did it in the most beautiful spot, just gliding around in 30 degree heat, was just blissful, and so incredibly peaceful. Lena and I got some really good shots, but they're all on my camera, so I need to get them on here pronto!
The Ngilgi Caves were also absolutely amazing. 4,000 year old caves that had hundreds of thousands of crystal formations. Again, it was such a peaceful experience, and the way the lights lit up and reflected on the crystals, made it look ethereal. We also did some olive tasting, cookie tasting, and chocolate tasting, which were all so delicious. Oh, and sheep sheering was soooo interesting to watch, spent an hour learning about the trade and watching a demonstration. Then we got to hold and feed the lambs. Eeeeek.

The next 6 days we spent in Margaret River with THE most awesome German boys, Toby, Phillip and Torsten. Hi guys :) we spent the week visiting different beaches, cooking delicious food and consuming copious amounts of goon. Apart from one night when we watched Pitch Perfect. Lena taught me the cup song so we just HAD too! I also had a crack at surfing. FYI I was fucking terrible, but glad I gave it a go.