Newcastle (Part IV)

So here are the last images from Newcastle....if any more turn up I'll post them.....Enjoy!

Australia's most deadliest creature being buried in the sand....or as we like to call him "Shane"....

This is a KOOKABURRA waiting to be fed on the neighbors fence...

Newcastle (Part III)

Of course, out of the many things the McIntosh's do, one of which includes having a part of a card company that customizes greeting cards all over the world and sends them out for all sorts of occasions.  Click on the link below to send one of your very own today (I know, I know, shameless plug) :

 

As you can see I've become obsessed with the beautiful scenery.....but I mean, come on......once in a lifetime opportunity for me...

Merriweather beach has a bootcamp session in the wee hours of the morning:

Bunny Chow:  This was our Thanksgiving feast.  If you'd like to know more about what bunny chow is click here

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!