Featherdale Wildlife Park was so amazing. It was basically an interactive zoo with kangaroos just freely roaming around. We got to take pictures with and pet the koala bears. They almost looked fake they were so perfect and soft. Don't let that fool you-they can be very vicious. We heard the koala call from one angry bear and I think it sounded like a pterodactyl would have back in the day. Next time you see me, you can ask me to imitate it. I think I've nailed it. It is actually illegal in the state of New South Wales to hold a koala bear, but in every other state you can, so we plan on doing that when we go up to Cairns for our spring break field trip. Other animals at the park included kangaroos, wallabies, pelicans, wombats, tasmanian devils, crocodiles, you know, just your average every day animals.
Next we headed to the Blue Mountains. Although it is 3 hours from where we live, it was definitely worth it. We had lunch at the scenic world buffet. The dining room is on a spinning platform that slowly rotates around so you can get panoramic views of the blue mountains the entire time-gorgeous. I tried vegemite for the first time. Safe to say I will not be doing that ever again, but it had to be done. We got in a tram to go down to the hiking area after lunch. It is the steepest angled tram in the world (52 degrees). Thank god it went slowly because otherwise it would have been a six flags ride. Since we were with a group of 80 from my program, we couldn't really do a hike, so we just walked to the base of the waterfall and then took the tram back up (which by the way, goes in reverse-even scarier). If I went again, I would want to do the 12 mile hike throughout the mountains. You can also camp for a week out in the mountains as well which sounded cool. There was also a modern art exhibit going on in the forest, which I thought was super weird. In the middle of the rain forest there would be an awkward piece of tacky colored modern art. I thought it really took away from the natural beauty, but it was an interesting idea I suppose. The three peaks in the far left of the picture below are called the three sisters, which made me laugh a bit thinking about the three sisters mountains back home in Oregon. Couldn't be more different, but both amazing. The blue mountains were, indeed, blue and definitely a must see stop.
Other random thoughts running through my mind... :
1. The Australian people are SO friendly-I love it! Some girls and I were on the bus to Bondi for dinner one night, and a 22 year old student from University of Sydney tapped us on the shoulder. She is an American political studies major and heard our American accent and wanted to hear our perspective on the American political system and the upcoming election. She was so passionate about her major, which was refreshing to hear. She is going to use some of our quotes for an essay she is writing. Since politics is my least favorite thing in the world to talk, about I didn't do much of the talking (I know-a first), but she gave us her number and wants to do lunch and show us around Sydney sometime! Also, I was walking home from campus today and happened to be walking next to a post-grad student who struck up a conversation. She is getting her masters in secondary education at UNSW, so we had a great chat down to the beach. I love getting tips on what to do and what to see from the locals. People did not lie, Australians do love Americans! They love their country and just can't wait to share it with us.
2. Apparently Australians think it is hilarious that Americans wear Ugg boots around when it is cold outside. Fun fact: Uggs are surf shoes. Surfers' feet are freezing when they get out of the water since they aren't covered by the wetsuit, so they need a way to warm them up. Enter- Uggs. They were designed for this purpose and work great because they don't get destroyed by the sand. Good thing I learned this now before I showed up to class wearing them in a few months. Idiot American strikes again.
3. Another fun fact: the ozone layer has a hole in it right above Sydney. Sydney has some of the most intense sunlight and UV rays in the whole world. Best way to spot a study abroad student in Sydney-look for the bright red tomato walking around. I normally never wear sunscreen. Huge mistake. I paid the price and burned to a crisp the first few days. I literally had an exact outline of my swimsuit on my body outlined in red. I also had a nice line down my cheek that divided pale skin and red skin, where I clearly missed putting sunscreen. Whoops. I have learned my lesson and been applying 30 (yes-I am wearing 30) everyday. My sunburn is fading and finally turning into a nice tan. Phew.
4. Other lingo I have picked up on so far:
thongs: flip flops
bubbler: drinking fountain
uni: college
chemist: pharmacy
trolley: shopping cart
chemist: pharmacy
trolley: shopping cart
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