A real update--Aussiesss

There's no doubt about the fact that the Australian cities seem a little more.. Westernized? I mean New Zealand definitely has Western influences (yay for Europeans invading indigenous people for the millionth time!) but the Maori culture is definitely much more... integrated. I don't really know how else to explain it. There were times in Sydney when I felt like I was in a friendlier New York. Liz and I were in Sydney for 4 days and it was really awesome! 

We were staying in this super dodgy hostel.. and every time i walked in the door I started laughing to myself about how sketchy it was. It's part of the experience right? And it was only 3 nights.. still it was hilarious. We met some cool Irish girls and three German guys (SO MANY GERMANS IN THE PACIFIC!) And I learned that I haven't been saying some phrases right. I usually say, "Ich spreche Deutsch fuer drei Jahre im Gymnasium"... and apparently, even though its understandable, I should be saying, "Ich spreche Deutsch for Zeit drei Jahre auf dem Gymnasium." O well. 

Anyways we met up with our friend Mike, also from Wellington. And we walked around the town, saw the Sydney Opera House (YAY!) and took a ferry to Manly Wharf. 

SOOO many jokes... like when some sign said "Manly Pharmacy"... it never got old. We met up with Liz's long lost cousin Andy (they hadn't seen each other in 4 years!) and the four of us watched this super awesome surfing competition on the beach. 

And then we played on the beach, before heading home. 

The next day we took a train ride up to the Blue Mountains. Anyone going to Australia should definitely do this. Its 2 hours out of Sydney and the mountains are incredible. 

The tramp definitely reminded me of New Zealand (*tear*) and we had a really awesome time just walking around and seeing everything. 

Our last day in Sydney was spent at the Botanical gardens, the Sydney Harbor Bridge, and Darling Harbor. It's been a pretty awesome trip so far. 

This morning we got into Melbourne. There's this awesome view of the city and everything from this super expensive spot. But our travel guide book told us that we could get the same view for free if we went to the bathroom on the 35th floor of this 5-star hotel. Guess what we did??? HAHA, it was SO funny. 

Anyways, off to dinner. We may be heading towards a Vampire Dinner Theater tonight. OOOOHhh. 

In honor of my German friends: Tschus! (i hope i spelled that right)

PS. I finally got my purple tree picture!! (see last blog)