Category: Australia

Jan 25 2023

G and I have concluded our travels around Australia. We are leaving the world down under full of emotion and with a completely different outlook on life. When you are placed in an environment different than your own, you learn and observe the different ways in which people in other societies live and interact. You become exposed to new ways of life, ones that make you question your own purpose. Our time in Europe last Fall introduced us to this mindset, but I speak for both G and I when I say our travels in Australia not only solidified a lot of the emotions and feelings we had already experienced, but transformed them.

Time is such a funny thing. We left Sydney at 8pm Tuesday night and landed at our first stop in Honolulu (10 hours later) at noon, still on Tuesday. Maybe some of you will come at for me not properly understanding the concept of time but in my mind, G and I are now fully certified time travelers. We are currently on flight two of three back to Colorado and while we are both exhausted, we are leaving Australia with new mates, endless memories, and an abundance of love filled in our hearts. 

We started our first night in Sydney with Jesse, Callan, and Michael at the golf club for some dinner and Keno. G and I were so excited to see the boys again and spend the rest of our time in their company. We spent most of the weekend relaxing in Callan and Jesse’s unit watching movies and sharing some of our favorite Byron, Melbourne, and Surfer’s Paradise adventures. We attempted to have one last night out in Sydney on Saturday, but ended up drinking beers outside of a bar for about two hours instead. Despite not stepping foot into the bar, (except to use the bathroom), G, Callan, Dane, and I found it special that we could all still have a lovely time together doing the simplest of things. 

On Sunday night, G and I thought it was only right to cook a meal, Scipione style, for the boys before saying goodbye. We called up our Dad for some secret Scipione family recipes and headed to the supermarket to buy all of the works. We cooked up homemade spaghetti and meatballs and chicken parmesan, with some caprese and fruit salad on the side. While the food wasn’t as perfect as our Dads, G and I were proud of the outcome and hoped the boys enjoyed the food as much as we enjoyed cooking it. 

Dane and Callan were off to New Zealand and Michael had to return to work Monday, so our last two days without them were spent relaxing at Bondi and Malabar beach soaking up the sun before returning home to the freezing cold. Callan, Michael, and Dane are all such sweet blokes and we are forever grateful to have them in our lives. G and I grew a lot closer to each one of them, learning more about them as people and observing them in their home environments. Callan has the kindest heart and is always one to make others feel included, safe, and valued. Michael is driven, caring, and spirited. He is full of so much potential and will always be there to listen. And Dane is someone who knows how to brighten your day, with his goofiness and effortless kindness. These boys are mates for life and we cannot wait to see them soon again one day.

G and I found it necessary to get matching sister tattoos before coming home. Since our time at the art museum in Melbourne was so profound, we decided to get some permanent lotus flowers on our arms. We both broke into tears walking into the flower room at the art experience. In Vietnam, (where our brother, Christian, is living), the Lotus flower is the national flower. It is known as the flower of the dawn and is the symbol of purity, commitment and optimism for the future. At night the flower closes and sinks underwater and rises and opens again at dawn. These lotuses are a forever reminder of the beauty of life and that my sister will always be with me, no matter where we are in the world. 

As I watch the sun set beneath the clouds, I find myself in some deep and profound conclusions. This feels like an end to a movie – a movie full of different plots and character developments. There was drama, adventure, and comedy; moments that your mind can replay over and over again if you just close your eyes. And while we were unable to see a lot of the glorious ‘touristy’ things Australia has to offer, I am going home with zero regrets and a better appreciation for every aspect in my life. 

G and I have had many meaningful conversations ever since our visit to the ‘LUME Melbourne’. Throughout all of these conversations, one thing that G said that stood out to me was, ‘our only purpose is to live’. There are many ways that this can be explained or interpreted but these words speak exactly for what they mean. We are placed on this Earth with the understanding that our life has meaning and it has purpose. I reckon this to be true, however over time, we as humans are constantly seeking a deeper purpose. Society, especially American society, has made it seem that the only path to happiness and success is granted through power, control, and assets. The gap grows wider as the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. We are working to survive, when we should be working to live. We try to find purpose within our identities and how we are labeled and perceived by society; but at the end of the day our only purpose should be to live – to live and to be and to enjoy. 

Living is something most Europeans and Australians know how to do best. Parents are actively engaged in their children’s lives, small businesses thrive, and people do things they genuinely enjoy. I have always been someone that is drawn to helping those in need, it is something that I enjoy (hence my degree in Social Work). However, I often struggled with the thought that maybe I only enjoyed helping others for the wrong reasons – reasons out of guilt or shame for the privileged life that I have lived. These thoughts scared me. I didn’t want to be a part of the small percentage of individuals in the helping professions that are labeled with a ‘white savior complex’ or struggle with ‘survivor’s guilt’. But what I have come to realize is that the shared goal of those of us in helping professions is that we strive to help our clients succeed by giving them resources to better their life conditions. Basic human needs like access to healthcare, housing, food, water, and safety. Needs that are often not met in America and other parts of the world. Conditions that provide you with such a simple purpose, the purpose to live. 

And while I could go on more of a tangent, this is not a persuasive essay, I am not in school anymore, and these blogs are meant to be light-hearted. So, I will leave it at this: I encourage you to live a life full of wonder, love, and admiration. Be curious, ask questions, and learn from people with different ideas and opinions than your own. Love. Love unconditionally, fiercely, and courageously. Appreciate and admire the special people in your life. We are not who we are without our friends and family, so hold on to each and every one of them dearly. And always, always, tell someone you love them. You never know what day will be your last. 

Till next time,

Bella 🙂

Jan 21 2023

I am a few days behind on blogging our recent adventures. G and I arrived back in Sydney early Friday morning and are staying at Callan and Jesse’s place for the remainder of our trip. It feels good being back in Sydney and ending our trip where it all started. Visiting the boys was one of our main reasons for coming to Australia, so I am glad we have been able to spend as much time with them as we have. Michael, Callan, Dane, and Jesse will always be such special people in both of our lives and we are so lucky to have friends for life in a world thousands of miles away. We are unsure of our plans for our last three days but I know we will enjoy and appreciate every minute.

Our last two days in Melbourne included a visit to the ‘LUME’ art museum and ‘Eureka’ tower. Eureka Skydeck is the southern hemisphere’s highest observation deck at nearly 980 feet (300 meters). The boys we met in Byron Bay, Tim and Rory, trained an hour to the city to see us for our last night. They treated us to dinner at a restaurant on Yarra River. The restaurant was literally floating on the river and our table overlooked the city’s skyline. We shared pizzas and cocktails before starting our night out. The evening started at a cute little mini golf place called, ‘Holey Moley’. Tequila shots were followed by one of Holey Moley’s signature cocktails, ‘Rub a Dub Tub’. We played 18 holes of mini golf, Rory being champion of the first nine and G and Tim tying for first place for the latter nine. In other words, I was the loser (I blame it on the heels).

After our 18 rounds of the multi-sensory labyrinth of putt putt holes, we made our way to a bar called Lucky Thursday’s. The four of us spent hours dancing at the underground club. G and I are so happy we met Rory and Tim back in Byron and are lucky to have met boys who share our love for boogying and who never let a day go to waste. They both radiate love and show genuine care for all those they come in contact with – something so admirable. We have convinced the two of them to come visit us in Colorado – contingent upon us learning how to ski. We had an early plane ride to Sydney the next morning, so we parted ways with Tim and Rory and headed straight from the club to the airport.

I speak for both G and I when I say that our time in Melbourne changed our lives and growth mindset. In my last blog, I mentioned the works of Claude Monet and his impressionist philosophy. I wrote my previous blog shortly after we visited the ‘LUME’ art exhibit in Melbourne. The entire experience shifted my views on the world and has completely overwhelmed me with emotion, guiding me towards a new perspective of life. I have had some time to reflect on this experience and feel ready to share some of my insights.

The LUME Melbourne invites you on a journey through the vibrant world of French Impressionism. Part of the Impressionist philosophy was to capture a single moment in time on the canvas, preserving the sensation of the experience – the impression. The featured experience, Monet and Friends, compels you to leave the world behind and step into this fascinating period of modern art. From the musical score to the little details of using modern technology to bring different paintings to life, the experience completely echoed the mood and emotions of the 19th century.

I thought of both my Grandpa Bob and Grandma Joyce as I walked through the different spaces of the exhibit. I could picture my Grandpa sitting and reflecting on the various quotes of French impressionists displayed on the screen and my Grandma walking around and admiring each and every piece of the modern art. I’m unsure as to what exactly moved me so deeply, but I found myself crying on the floor and discerning all of the moments in my life that have lead me to exactly where I’m supposed to be.

Impressionist painters captured moments they saw and sensed, often depicting ordinary people and ordinary things. Their paintings were rarely staged, instead resembling a specific snapshot in time. ‘Art is about emotion; if art needs to be explained it is no longer art’ – Pierre-Auguste Renoir. The things we perceive through our eyes and how our brain understands what we perceive are two very different things. As I sat and watched each painting come to life, I came to realize that what is so extraordinary about life is really all the things we find so mundane.

It’s sitting in a room of silence with your best friends, holding each other, crying, and grieving. Extraordinary is home cooked dinners on a weekday with your family, finding time to come together despite everyone’s busy schedules. It’s going out to dinner with a person you love after a long day at work. Beauty is all around us and if we have the desire to truly appreciate it, we require an attitude of open receptivity; a willingness to receive and feel things that are usually met with an upturned nose – refusing to accept something that is sincerely good. Finding beauty in the mundane forces us to let go of our misguided judgements. Our world is full of wonder and mystery, and if you take a minute to pause and feel what you perceive, the world will be revealed in the most dazzling, impressive, and unpredictable ways.

Jan 18 2023

Claude Monet once said, “every day I discover more and more beautiful things. It’s enough to drive one mad. I have such a desire to do everything, my head is bursting with it”. And while Monet was referring to his paintings during his development of expressive art, he was ultimately speaking of his urge to capture reality and record his surroundings faithfully in the ever-changing nature of light and color. Monet, among other 19th century impressionists, aimed to translate his perception of the natural world directly onto the canvas. Over the last few days, I have completely resonated with this impressionist philosophy. Impressionism argues that we don’t see the ‘real’ world objectively because everything that we perceive is filtered through our minds – our minds that are filled with emotion, memories, and unique lived experiences. I have had so many life changing experiences during my time in Australia and I have been able to better understand and conceptualize them through the impressionist philosophy.

Ever since I was a young girl, I have been constantly aware of my environment and all its surroundings. I observe how humans interact with another and take joy in the small moments of typical day to day life. As I grow older and expose myself to new people and cultures, I find different meanings to life. Our world is filled with so much grief and sorrow, accompanied by so much love and joy. I know that I have alluded to these themes before, but they are things that remain constant throughout every lived experience. We all see world through a unique lens that ultimately impacts the ways in which we live, grieve, and love. Like Monet, my head is bursting with thoughts and emotions as I reflect on my every encounter. G and I both have had our minds transform over the last few days and we are overwhelmed with the feelings that follow this. We are both taking the time to deeply reflect on every moment and are living with presence in the meantime. So, enough with all of the deep philosophical shit, here is a rundown of our past few wild days back in Byron Bay.

Monday morning in Byron started with brunch at the ‘Avocado Hut’. G and I both indulged in delicious chicken avocado wraps filled with fresh veggies and chipotle mayo. This was probably my favorite meal in Byron, as I can still feel my mouth water thinking about each bite. Avocado Hut was located next to a boutique called, ‘Chia’, so of course we had to stop by. G found an elegant, white silk dress hanging on the rack that was for ‘rent’. The dress looked too perfect on her not to rent it out for the night, so we made the decision to get glammed up for our last night in Byron. We walked down to the beach to get some much needed sun tan time until getting rained on and heading back to our hostel. On our walk back, we were on the hunt to find me an equally stunning dress, and stopped at pretty much every shop until we found the right one. Byron Bay has dozens of cute little shops and restaurants, so it’s almost impossible not to spend hours stopping in each store. By our last stop, I had found the dress for me. There’s no better feeling than finding a piece that makes you feel pretty.

The woman at the store recommended lots of things for us to do for our girl’s night. She recommended getting some dinner and then heading over to the piano bar called, ‘The Northern Hotel’ for drinks and singing. I had seen the piano bar come across my Tik Tok ‘for you page’, so I knew that this was a hot spot in town. G and I stopped for some sushi after our sunset photoshoot. In all honesty, this was probably some of the worst sushi I have ever had. To be fair, we did walk in only an hour before closing, so our only option was to eat the sushi that was left on the ‘sushi train’ – and sushi that is not made fresh to order, loses it’s flavoring and texture. Nonetheless, we ate plenty of it and made our way to the ‘Northern Hotel’.

When we walked into the piano bar, there was a small crowd with two gentleman playing classic sing a long songs on the pianos. There was a group of people our age sitting in one of the corners, so we asked to join them for the night. There are some nights where G and I’s social batteries are running low, and I am so glad this was not one of those nights. We met two boys from Melbourne named Rory and Tim, and spent the night with them drinking vodka sodas and singing to Mamma Mia, Billy Joel, Taylor Swift, and other classics until about 130am. G and I are convinced we got the party going, as we were pointing to people on the streets, prompting them to come and join along. At about 10pm, the bar filled with people of all different ages, from all over the world. Maybe it was the countless vodka sodas or maybe it was G and I’s love for singing and dancing with strangers, but this was hands down the best bar we have been to in Australia so far.

Rory and Tim are carpenters from a rural town just outside of Melbourne. From the moment we sat by them, we connected on a special level. The boys taught us that every moment is fleeting and exists exactly for what it is. Tomorrow is never guaranteed, so you should always treat others with nothing but compassion and love. We all start out as strangers to one another, so it is important to make each other feel safe and valued.

The four of us decided it was time to leave the bar, as we had all lost track of what number drink we were on. We headed down to the beach, none of us knowing that this night would be one of the best nights in all of our lives. As we were putting our feet in the water and feeling the sand wiggle between our toes, two girls from Sydney invited us to join their ‘bonfire, that wasn’t really a bonfire’. I think what they meant by this was that there was no actual fire going on, but a circle of strangers sitting and playing music on their guitar and ukulele. I don’t know all of the names of the people sitting in this circle, but each one played a special role in the night.

I sat next to the ukulele player, a man from Chile named Pablo. Pablo strummed his ukulele for hours as other people took turns singing over his chords in different languages and melodies. A man named Josh started playing a tune on the guitar with Pablo on his ukulele, while a French boy free-styled in French. Everyone in the circle sat and enjoyed the song these three strangers had strung together, each finding different meaning in the moment we were all a part of as one. After the song was over, Josh started crying. I was unsure as to why he was crying, but I know that what he was feeling must have been so beautifully overwhelming. This was something that was so special for me to witness, as it was another reminder that all that matters is the moment we exist in.

There is a lot more depth and story to the rest of this night, but it is something that I have decided to keep sacred to myself. I say that this one of the best nights of my life because of the genuine love and authenticity that radiated across the entire circle. There is no better feeling than love and the way it can physically make you feel deep inside.

We got home late that night, or early that morning, and had to be checked out of our hostel just hours later. G and I met Tim and Rory for some breakfast in Byron and we all went up to the Cape Byron Lighthouse before saying goodbye. Cape Byron Lighthouse sits on Australia’s most easterly point. The views from the top of lighthouse are absolutely stunning, with sweeping views over the Pacific Ocean. I have included some of my favorite pictures from our time here.

G and I are currently in Melbourne, Australia until tomorrow morning. We spent yesterday’s rainy day at the ‘Lume’ art experience and have plans to visit Phillip Island and its blue penguins later today.

Jan 15 2023

I have always been a firm believer in the idea that everything happens for a reason. This is often a controversial philosophy that some people abide by while others do not. It can be a phrase that brings comfort, letting people know there is a bigger picture or plan for all of us. On the other hand, it is a phrase that is contradicted with the implications of free will and determinism. And while our life is ultimately a series of choices in which we have power and control of, the phrase that ‘everything happens for a reason’ is a statement that every effect has a cause. The cause is the reason. Not a backward-looking reason, but a forward-looking reason, a way that the effect fits in a story – your own story.

G and I’s entire journey across Australia so far has been a story in of itself. We have had to deal with many bumps along the way, ones that have challenged our ability to act and react in certain situations. However, every cloud in the sky and missed bus has lead us to exactly where we’re supposed to be. Our trip down South has brought us so many new mates and experiences that would not have happened if we had continued driving up North. Here is a recap of our last weekend.

We spent Saturday with our Swiss mates. Nick and Pirmin are two guys that have been added to our list of people that feel like home. Nick and Pirmin have convinced us to add Switzerland to our bucket list of places for future trips. On Saturday afternoon, the four of us relaxed in our hostel’s jacuzzi and enjoyed lunch together. Our hostel had a huge kitchen, so Nick cooked us up some pasta carbonara. G and I were impressed with the amount of people utilizing the kitchen and filling the space up with various smells unique to different cultural foods. Hostels are an incredible way to bring people together from all parts of the world, so we really appreciated that this hostel’s kitchen allowed people to come together and cook meals central to their home countries. This hostel in Surfer’s Paradise was probably the best hostel we have ever stayed at.

After our routine nap, we got ready for another night out on the ‘strip’, as I called it. We started the night like we did Friday with a pregame outside with music, cards, drinks, and mates. G and I met some nice British boys named Corey and Will and went out to the club, Asylum. Asylum, once again, did not disappoint as we spent hours dancing and singing along to the DJ’s insane set. DJ Tigerlily is a female artist from Sydney, Australia, and probably one of the greatest DJs I have ever seen perform. After her set, the four of us walked down to the beach and admired the waves crashing under the moonlight. It was about 130am when we started to head back home, but decided to make an obligatory stop at Macca’s before hand. We said goodbye to Will and Corey and had an early morning ahead of us.

Our Sunday started with absolutely no plans in mind. G and I’s only task of the day was to return our rental car to Brisbane by 10am. We outlined various plots for the next five days before returning to Sydney on Friday. Many of the people we met at our hostel in Surfer’s were either journeying up North or down South, via the Greyhound bus. Since G and I no longer had our own car, we decided to do just that and book a bus ticket from Brisbane to a coastal town called Byron Bay. We waited at the airport for the bus most of the morning and were excited to finally have a set arrangement for the rest of our travels. However, I neglected to pay attention to detail (again), and didn’t realize we had to go to a bus stop that was not located at the airport. We missed our bus and sat on the streets of Brisbane frustrated that our plans failed again.

G and I sat and thought of ways to get us down to Byron Bay. As tired as we were, we didn’t want to waste another day and not enjoy the little time we have left in Australia. We decided to bite the bullet and spend money on another rental car to get us to Byron for the next two days. The two hour drive back down to New South Wales was so beautiful and brought me a new sense of optimism that I was worried was fading away. As soon as we arrived to Byron, I knew our day had turned itself around.

Byron Bay is home to Australia’s most easterly point and iconic Cape Byron lighthouse. The region is known for its spectacular beaches, unique shopping and dining experiences, and vibrant community spirit. G and I had only heard good things from Byron and were excited to spend a few days enjoying all that the coastal town has to offer. We went out for dinner last night at a small taco place called, Costa Taco. The chicken tacos were so tasty and exactly what we needed. We wanted to scope out the beach, so we walked down only to find ourselves at Byron beach club. G and I were prepared to have a chill, early night in, but when we came upon the beach club we noticed an event was about to take place. Sure enough, an artist called Elderbrook was performing. Elderbrook is an English EDM artist and G and I had actually seen him perform back home last September, as the opener to my all time favorite artist, Odesza. We were both stoked that he was performing, especially since we had no idea.

Before the show started, G met a boy from Perth, Australia named Elliot at the bar. Elderbrook is one of Elliot’s favorite artists so I made sure we all got a front row spot for the entirety of the show. The bar filled with people and became immediately energetic and lively. People were jumping, dancing, and singing with their hands in the air, grooving through every song. The guy next to me had to be one of Elderbrook’s greatest fans, as he was screaming at the top of his lungs and swaying his hips side to side, with a bright smile on his face. As much as he kept bumping into me, I couldn’t blame him for the joy that was radiating off of him. We stayed up front until the very end of the set and couldn’t believe how incredible the performance was. G, Elliot, and I were all stunned by how the stars aligned and we were all placed in a space completely out of the ordinary. This was our reminder that everything happens for a reason.

P.S. Bella’s blogs has officially passed over 3,000 all-time views, and I want to thank everyone again for reading along. I sometimes struggle during my writing, so I could not do this without you and appreciate the constant love and support. xx

Jan 13 2023

The past 48 hours have been filled with a series of unprecedented events. Long story short, G and I are back down south in Surfer’s Paradise for the weekend. Our original plans of driving up north to Cairns had to be changed due to flooding all up the northeast coast. G and I are obviously disappointed that we will not be able to venture more into Queensland’s national parks or dive into the Great Barrier Reef, but we are sure that everything happens for a reason and are eager to see what our remaining 10 days bring us.

While we haven’t decided on an official plan, we are thinking about driving further south to Byron Bay and other coastal towns or catching a flight to visit the city of Melbourne before heading back to Sydney for our final weekend. Either way, we are taking it day by day and enjoying the chaos and uncertainty for what it is. We believe this is exactly how it’s supposed to be.

Upon leaving Noosa Heads on Thursday, we drove a few hours north to Hervey Bay. To put it bluntly, Hervey Bay is not it. The town of Hervey Bay is widely known as a site for observing humpback whales. When I was planning our trip, this was something that I was so excited to see. However, my lack of attention to detail failed to read that it is not prime humpback season as we are not in the months of July-November. Without decent weather and mating whales, Hervey Bay has very little to offer.

For lunch, G and I ended up at a small country club near our air bnb. We felt like imposters entering the quaint little club and most definitely looked like it too. The club sat on a golf course but also included slot machines, keno, and horse betting. The servers were dressed in bowling outfits and spoke with rustic Australian accents. This country club is proof of the idea that we all live in a simulation. Nonetheless, we enjoyed our burgers and ice cream and respectfully went on our way.

We struggled to find something to do with our night back at our air bnb. G and I were both sick of just going to restaurants and spending our limited money on food, so we decided to drive to the grocery store to get supplies for a wine and cheese night. We made our own little charcuterie board and watched the Hunger Games.

After our hectic morning yesterday of changing plans, we are happy with our decision to come back down to Surfer’s paradise. We are staying in an awesome hostel located right near the beach and crazy nightlife. G and I were both starting to feel socially deprived, so we were keen to meet some new mates. One of our hostel mates, Pirim, is from Switzerland and studying in Surfer’s for the next nine weeks. Pirim told us what to expect from the social atmosphere of the hostel. Surely enough, we were very pleased.

G and I walked across the street to the ‘bottle-o’ to grab a bottle of a vodka to share with potential new friends. Just minutes later, the common area of the hostel was filled with people from all over the world. There was about 30 of us sitting around picnic tables sharing stories of our travels and laughing about cultural differences. We played some card games and listened to music before all walking to the nightclubs.

G and I went to three seperate nightclubs all along the same strip. We started our night at a club called Empire, went next door to Asylum, and finished the night at the Lost Kingdom. Each club had a fun unique atmosphere with different genres of music. My personal favorite was Asylum, with their crazy strobe lights, fog, and house EDM music. I’m certain we will be going back tonight and will be relaxing at our hostel’s pool in the mean time. I am unsure what our upcoming travels will consist of but look forward to welcoming each new day for what it’s supposed to be.

Jan 11 2023

Good morning from Noosa Heads, Australia. G and I began our roadtrip up North early Tuesday morning and are stunned by the pristine beaches, tropical islands, and vibrant cities Queensland has to offer. There were zero expectations going into our trip, so we are soaking in all the views and enjoying every experience. The length of our roadtrip from Brisbane to Cairns is a total of 1,047 miles (1,685 km). For reference, this is approximately the same distance as driving from our home in Denver, Colorado to San Diego, California. We have so far only covered about 83 miles (134 km), but the next few days will include many hours of driving with stops at ‘Macca’s’ and ‘petrol stations’ (gas stations) along the way.

I was anxious prior to starting our roadtrip because Australian’s drive on the opposite side of the road than we do in America. The steering wheel is on the right, roundabouts are extremely confusing, and the speed limit is in km/hr. As complex as this seemed in the beginning, and despite my many errors of mistaking the windshield wipers for the blinkers, I feel more comfortable as each minute passes. The drive is absolutely stunning, with thousands of trees surrounding the highway system.

Check-in time at our hostel in Brisbane wasn’t available until later in the afternoon on Tuesday, so we decided to drive an hour South to Surfer’s Paradise. Many of our Australian mates recommended Surfer’s Paradise, so of course we had to check out what all the hype was about. Surfer’s Paradise is a seaside resort on Queenland’s Gold Coast. It is known for it’s high-rise skyline, Surfers Paradise beach, and wild night life – a place that reminds me of Miami. G and I spent the morning sun-tanning on the beach and stopped for lunch in town. There was a parking ticket waiting for us when we returned to the car. I had the car for not even five hours, and already received an infraction for not paying at the meter. Oopsies.

We drove back up to Brisbane and made way to our hostel. Brisbane is the capital and most populated city in Queensland. I am a self-proclaimed ‘city girl’, so I was of course ecstatic to be staying in the city for the night. G and I both took a nap in our hostel before going out for dinner in Fortitude Valley. We were prepared to enjoy a night out, but after one drink and delicious BLT’s, we realized how badly we needed some good sleep. Our days partying in Sydney clearly have taken it out of us and I applaud the boys for their constant rallying.

We woke up early yesterday morning, well rested, and ready for some more adventure. We drove an hour North to the Glass House National Park for an afternoon hike at the Glass House Mountains. There are multiple different summits you can choose to climb. Mount Ngungun (pronounced ‘noo noo’) is the sixth tallest of the Glass House Mountains at 830ft (253m). Mount Ngungun is a remnant of volcanic activity 27 to 26 million years ago. The peak began as magma (molten rock) that cooled beneath the ground surface forming hard, intrusive plugs. The hike was predicted to take approximately one hour to reach the top. G and I completed the climb in just under 30 minutes. The top of the peak has incredible views of the neighboring summits, Mount Tibrogargan, Mount Coonowrin and Mount Beerwah.

Upon completing our hike, we headed another hour North to Noosa Heads. Noosa Heads is a coastal town and suburb in the Shire of Noosa. G and I relaxed in our air bnb before walking down to Noosa Marina at sunset for some dinner. Noosa Marina is located on the banks of Noosa River. The river life hub includes many different restaurants and shops to enjoy and explore. We went for dinner at Noosa Italian and had an exquisite meal right on the river. Noosa Italian was evidently authentic Italian food. Our waiter was from Ancona, Italia, and we shared our travels around Italy with him. He was impressed with our pronunciations when we ordered our meals and knew we were of Italian descent. G ordered pizza with arugula and prosciutto. I ordered the chef’s special of handmade stuff Ravioli with prawns, on a bed of cherry sauce and goat cheese cream. We shared tiramisu for dessert and enjoyed our sister date.

Today we will set out into Noosa National Park for a chance to see koalas sleeping in the trees and dolphins frolicking at Dolphin Point. We look forward to adventuring into more of Australia’s diverse environment.

Jan 09 2023

The sun is finally shining here in Sydney. G and I have spent the last couple of days relaxing at the beach and enjoying time with our Aussies and their mates. We feel sad to be leaving them again after being reunited and will miss their madness and chaos. And while we are pretty exhausted, the past week has been an excellent start to our travels. Jesse, Michael, Callan, and Dane are people that will always feel like home and it feels good to seem at home when home is over 8,000 miles away.

Yesterday, we spent the afternoon at Malabar beach. Malabar beach is a ten minute walk from Jesse and Callan’s unit with a smaller crowd and beautiful view. The boys took us to a more secluded area on the rocks that overlooks the beachside town. Before going for a swim, I thought it was a genius idea to take off my sunglasses, or ‘sunnies’, right on the rock. Sure enough, the water had swept them away within minutes. I was ridiculed by the boys for not knowing one of the main rules of being at the beach: always leave your things where you can see them. Nonetheless, I will take this as an excuse, and an opportunity, to find some new groovy sunnies to carry with me for the rest of our trip.

The sun is no joke in Australia and it doesn’t take long to catch a burn. After about an hour, we made our walk back to Jesse and Callan’s and listened to music on the balcony until the sun set. It was nice to be in good company and unwind together after a long weekend of partying. We ordered pizzas in and binge watched Squid Games on Netflix until about 1am. All of us had already seen Squid Games, so it was entertaining to rewatch it as a group, pointing out the foreshadowing clues in each episode. As much as we wanted to finish strong and complete the South Korean drama, the next day would be Monday and most of the boys had to return to work after being away for holiday.

This afternoon, Jesse picked us up and drove us an hour South of Sydney to Royal National Park for a day at Stanwell Beach. The drive through the park was absolutely unreal and brought a completely different view to Sydney. New South Wales is home to over 225 national parks, each diverse with outback walking tracks and coastal outlooks, to picturesque campgrounds and beaches. Our day spent at the beach was much needed for each of us, but in all different ways. It is always good to take a moment and soak in what’s around you, a break from the head noise of every day life.

We drove back home after our day at the beach and started packing up before meeting with Jesse and his best mate, Christine, for a fish ‘n’ chips picnic on top of Coogoo hill. Christine and Jesse have been mates for nearly ten years and are both well travelled with endless stories to share. It felt refreshing being around Chris, a girl that has been by Jesse’s side for such a long time. Plus (although only 3-1), us girls had finally outnumbered the number of boys in the room.

We laughed about some of our not so hot moments and made awareness of the moment we were living in for exactly what it was. There were dozens of people going for runs, walking their dogs, and enjoying their Monday evening. Christine signified how special it was to be out having a picnic on a weekday, enjoying and appreciating the space around you. It is so easy to get caught up in the busyness of our daily routine and can take a lot to pause and just live.

Ants started to invade our remaining chips as we finished our meal just before the sun set. We said goodbye to Christine and went back to Jesse and Callan’s to enjoy one last night with the boys before the next leg of our trip. Michael and Dane came over too and the six of us watched two more episodes of Squid Games, with only the series finale left. We will be returning to Sydney for a few days before heading back to the states, so this was not quite goodbye, but I know G and I will both miss having the four of them on the rest of our journey.

As each day passes, I grow more and more grateful to be surrounded by friends who are honest, easy going, and will always have your best intention at heart. Friendship and family have forever been the two most important aspects in my own life. What makes a good friend varies from person to person, but the one quality it consistently points to is presence. It means grieving with the person in their lows, and celebrating them in their highs. To encourage one another and love one another honestly, even when the truth can hurt. This blog has been my way of sharing my travels with my loved ones from all over the world and reflecting on the gift that true friendship brings. To each of my loved ones, I love you and I thank you for loving me. Queensland, here we come.

Jan 07 2023

It is somehow already Sunday morning here in Australia. The past couple of days have completely flown by and G and I have begun experiencing life as true Aussies. Presence has remained a key factor in our journey and is a theme we carry with us in each new adventure and encounter. We are meeting new mates, learning new lingo, and dancing to hours of house EDM music. Jesse, Michael, Callan, and Dane have introduced us to many of the important people in their lives. We feel so lucky to be a part of their fun and chaotic world.

Our original plans of attending a cricket match on Friday were changed due to weather. Instead, G and I, took ourselves back to the shopping center in search of new fits. We found so many good pieces and it was difficult walking away without spending too much time and money in each shop. G and I are proud of the outfits we have strung together and admire Australia’s spunky and creative fashion. We had our traditional pre-game photo shoot before starting our bender of a weekend.

Michael and Callan picked us up and we made our way to their friends, Charlotte and James, place. From the moment we walked in we were greeted with lots of hugs and friendly smiles. Some of the boys had even cooked up some ‘snags on the barbie’. Snags on the barbie are hot dogs, served in a piece of white bread, with grilled onions, ketchup, barbecue sauce, and any other toppings of your liking. The mates we met were fascinated by the differences in our American culture and slang. Flip-flops are ‘thongs’, liquor stores are ‘bottle shops’, Christmas is ‘Chrissy’, and what’s up is ‘doin’.

The rest of the night included sharing stories, dancing to house music, and creating new friendships that we will carry with us for years to come. G and I have often said the greatest and most rewarding part of traveling is meeting new people and enduring their culture with them organically and authentically. And while we haven’t done many of the touristy things that Sydney has to offer, we are building connections with people with unique lives different from our own. This, to me, is one of the most beautiful parts of the human experience. A special shoutout to Charlotte and James for welcoming us into their lovely home with warmness and kindness.

We spent most of our morning yesterday recovering from our Friday night. G and I slept in, ordered takeout breakfast, and watched a movie before going back to Jesse and Callan’s place to hang out and chat. After a few hours we ubered back to our studio to get ready for a night out in the city. By 9 o’clock we still hadn’t decided on a place to go, until the boys chose ‘The Beresford’. The Beresford is a night club located just outside the city of Sydney.

The DJ played a great mix of classic American and Australian songs. G and I were both impressed by the amount of Drake, Nicki Minaj, Katy Perry, Kesha, and Rihanna the Aussie’s knew. I am always one to appreciate a good set that keeps the crowd on their feet drinking, dancing, and singing until closing time when the lights turn on. Our group made friends with other local Aussies and we all made a night for ourselves. We picked out the perfect spot near the back of the club that overlooked the dance floor and groovy DJ – it was like our own private table.

The night ended with tired feet and more crazy stories, ones I should not necessarily share on this blog. The sun has finally come out and we will be spending the next few days on Sydney’s beaches before flying to Brisbane and beginning our journey up Australia’s east coast.

Jan 05 2023

It has officially been two days since our arrival to Sydney. We arrived around 730 pm on Wednesday and have since spent most of our time reuniting with our Aussie’s and exploring their beautiful home. It has been so good catching up with boys, it feels as though no time has passed since we were last all together in Italy. Sydney is a wonderful city and a place that has already started feeling like home.

On the night of our arrival, Jesse, Callan, G and I, spent time reminiscing about our European adventures. We went through old (and some never before seen) videos and pictures of our week together in Rome, Naples, and Positano. It felt, and still feels, so surreal to be in the homeland of the boys we met on our travels months ago.

Yesterday, Jesse spent the day being our own personal tour guide. We started the morning by driving in and around Sydney. Jesse took us over Sydney’s Harbour Bridge and into the city to walk around and take tourist pictures of the infamous Opera House. We then headed towards Bondi beach to scope out some of the world’s most iconic beaches. The weather has been rainy and overcast the past couple of days, but warm weather is on the horizon for later this weekend. G and I did some shopping at the local shopping center and each got new bikinis to wear for our upcoming beach days.

We headed back to our AirBnb and got ready to meet up with the rest of the boys for some dinner and drinks. Coogee Pavilion, or as the Aussie’s call it, ‘The Pav’, is a classic destination for some good food, lots of drinks, and fun atmosphere, with sweeping views of Coogoo beach. Michael, Callan, Jesse, G, and I thought it was appropriate, and mandatory, to share a bottle of red wine and brick-oven pizzas for dinner – a proper way to salute to our nights in Italy. We laughed about our nights out on music on the rocks, arguments with cab drivers, and all of the time we spent together in between. There is so much joy and love between our little group.

After our tasteful meal, we made our way up to the rooftop bar to enjoy the beachside view, live music, and heaps of beer. In no time, the rooftop became crowded with people and the night turned alive and vibrant. I met five British boys, three of which were named ‘Olly’. I’m not sure how the rest of this encounter went, and this part of my night seems fairly irrelevant, but I still felt as though it was something I had to include in this blog.

Hours passed and we eventually found ourselves at McDonald’s, or Macca’s, ready for some greasy food to help sober us all up. By 11pm we were exhausted and decided it was best to head home and get some rest. Today we will be attending a cricket match, followed by a house party. G and I have a long and eventful day ahead and look forward to meeting some new Aussie mates.

Jan 02 2023

We’re back!!! G and I are so excited to share that we are starting 2023 with another new adventure. We are headed to Australia for three weeks to reunite with our Aussies, explore the country’s national parks, beaches, and cities, and immerse ourselves into the world down under. We will be staying in Sydney (home to Jesse, Michael, Callan, and Dane) to begin our journey, then start a roadtrip up Australia’s famous gold coast from Brisbane to Cairns.

Both G and I have been working two jobs, 40-50 hours a week since returning from Europe. Our hard work over the past three months, (along with help from our wonderful parents and family) has given us another exciting and thrilling opportunity to do what we love, and travel the world. I have no idea what to expect, but look forward to sharing all we discover. Cheers, to 2023!!!