Caitlins Making Her Way Down Under!!!

Hello everyone!

In my last blog I wrote about how excited I was for the surfing trip so I guess its best that I start off talking about that.

We left Friday night and headed about 3 hours south to a town called Ulladulla. This trip was sponsored through the school, so I had no idea where we were staying. Honestly, I wasnt expecting much. Therefore, I was pleasantly surprised when I saw my living quarters for the weekend.

We were a group of 13 or so students, but my 2 of my friends and I lucked out to have a CABIN to ourselves. Since we live in a castle, we dont really get the feeling of living in a home, which is something we all miss. But the cabin we stayed in was everything we could ask for and more!

It had a full kitchen with a refrigerator and the freezer had an ice tray!! (In Australia, they dont put ice in your drinks) It really doesnt take much to make me happy...

The cabin also came with a couch and heres the best part, where you could lay down and watch TV!!!!!!!!!!!! I havent watched TV for over a month and I feel like I am cut off and excluded from the world. I pretty much live in a little bubble.

There was a bedroom which contained a queen sized bed with a bureau and another room that contained 3 bunk beds and a closet. The bathroom was in really good condition as well. There was a front porch that you could sit down and look out onto the ocean. It was our little home for the weekend.

We had arrived at night on Friday, so it was too late to go surfing. The group of us got together, ate pizza, drank beers and enjoyed the fact that we were out of Manly and seeing another part of Australia.

Saturday morning we woke up early and headed out to the beach to surf! I dont know if I have mentioned this before, but this trip was meant for experienced surfers since the waves were big and challenging.

I was the only one on the trip who has never surfed before.

I knew this going into it, but I figured everyone has to start somewhere and I also viewed it as an opportunity to see another part of Australia. Now Im not going to lie, I got my ass kicked but, I HAD THE TIME OF MY LIFE!! The waves were huge! It was a struggle merely paddling out into the ocean getting past the waves but I managed to get out there. I was told that was good in itself because some people had trouble and couldnt get past the waves.

The waves were so strong that they easily pushed you when you were on your board. I had to get the timing down when to jump up onto the board, but after a few times, I got the hang of it. I would manage to get up but balancing on the board was hard! I would be up and then fall down after a few seconds. It was difficult and challenging but I loved it nonetheless.

Sunday morning we checked out of Ulladulla and went about a hour north to Green Island. Hard to believe, but Green Island was just as breathtaking as Ulladulla. It was a beautiful day without a cloud in the sky, white sand and the water was so clear that you could see through it. Green Island and Ulladulla are not popular tourist attractions, so it was unbelievable to be at such beautiful beaches that were nearly secluded from everything. Australia truly is the most beautiful place in the world.

This week of school I have actually been busy with school work. I just finished a 9-page paper about Oktoberfest. The formating and layout of papers here is different than what I am used to back home which made it more difficult but I am glad that the paper is over and done with.

Caitlin is currently flying over the Pacific Ocean to visit ME for 10 days!!! I am so excited to have her here! I have planned a bunch of stuff for us to do when she gets here. If she is not too jet lagged, I want to take her out to Kings Cross in Sydney, which is a really popular spot for night life in Sydney. Saturday we are going to the Jack Johnson concert, Monday is St. Patrick's Day, Tuesday we are going to the Sydney Opera House, Friday we are going on a hot air balloon ride, Saturday is a trip to the Blue Mountains and on Sunday, we are celebrating her 21st birthday. Ahhh.... I can't wait! :) I haven't necessarily been homesick, but I have missed friends and family from back home, and I can't wait to have her here with me to share this experience!

I hope everyone is doing well back home. I miss everyone greatly... Talk to you soon!!