Newcastle (Part II)

So it turns out Newcastle was a great introduction for us into Australian life.  Beaches were a must and good food a plus!  Thanks again to the McIntosh family for opening up their hearts and homes and taking such good care of us for a week.  Here are some pics to highlight that part of the journey:

Country/western singer from the Carrington bowl (the Carri).....he had an amazing voice...

Me...."taking it all in"...

Random drag show at the Carri....ha....this is where Niara was bunny slapped....

World's largest saltwater pool.  Larger than an Olympic-sized pool.  100m by 50m

 Me and Kel basking in the glow of the sunset.....and Cooper's.....

Teddy...."taking it all in"...

Newcastle (Part I)

I’ve had an obsession with Australia since I was a little kid.  Now, I’m not going to lie but watching Crocodile Dundee had everything to do with it up until I had the chance to meet some fantastic and amazing Australians.  In 2000, I wanted to work for the Olympics in Sydney but unfortunately had to remain in school as that was a sketchy time in my life as far as school was concerned.  I was in and out of classes.  Because I was out of school when the time came for the study abroad program too applications in time for the Olympics, I missed out.  When I left school and started working for the hostel/hotel in L.A.  I met an enormous influx of Australians who only made the pang of having not been there yet ache a bit more.  I decided to do something about that and November 18^th, 2010 I hopped on a plane and headed to the land down under.  It looks like I will be here for at least a year and I want to share all my amazing experiences with whoever wants to share them.  Here are some pics from when we first arrived.  The 1^st day was Sydney and the rest so far have been in Newcastle where we stayed with my good friend Kel and her amazingly beautiful family for a week.  Her dad George took us to Merriweather Beach at 5 am so we were able to get some great photos.   Enjoy!

 

Road Trip (Part VI)

Venice.....I have to admit this was probably my most favorite part of the road trip.  Although I've lived most of my life in NY and Boston, I learned so much about myself in LA.  I also learned how to truly deal with other people.  Venice is a disgustingly beautiful city by the beach.  However, there's always a point in the day that's just quiet and belongs to no one else but you.  I've had many beautiful sunsets in this city.  Many beers and many sunsets.  It will always feel like coming home.  So thank you Mel, Jeff, Elisha, Mandie, Sarah, Jason, etc.   Not to mention the Ozzie Squad I met while being here. All of you beautiful people heightened my LA experience.  Hope you enjoy these as well:

Road Trip (Part V)

Then there was Vegas and Tehachapi (try saying that 5 times real fast).  In Vegas was Bubba and some really cool guys she introduced us too.  Then there's Tehachapi where we had a fantabulous dinner with Cheri and Jermaine......good times:

Road Trip (Part IV)

Entering into Northern California, we hit snow.  I'm still shocked by this considering how many states we went through there was barely any rain.  We finally made it to Oakland/San Fran and had a blast with Mika, Krys, and heaps of Niara's friends:

Road Trip (Part III)

So at this point we have a bunch of photos between Wisconsin and Northern Cali.  I don't quite remember all the states and will not be able to tell which pic is from which one.  They really do look alike to me.  I think we went through Nebraska, Wyoming, Utah (Salt Lake City is worth another go) and then Reno, Nevada.  These are some images from that: