Surviving the Outdoors with Your Partner

"You guys are like peanut butter and jelly, there isn’t anything you don’t know about your partner. I’d believe you if you spent a week together — outdoors.

My significant other and I had been dating for over a year and we’d been camping many weekends together already. It never occurred to me just how much closer we would get over our 9-day backpacking trip through Tasmania’s famous Overland Track. It wasn’t easy and it sure wasn’t all smelling of roses, but we survived (still to my surprise). And in the interest of keeping you and your partner together, here’s how you can survive the outdoors with your loved one."

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5 Tips for Exploring a New Place

"From one weekend in Yosemite, to another in Desolation Wilderness, Big Sur, or Mammoth Lakes, there was always something new to experience and someone to go with. My world was turned upside down when I met someone from Australia. I have since relocated to Sydney, where the ever-changing weather may resemble my San Francisco home, but suddenly I had no friend base, family, car, or clue on where to climb, hike, and adventure."

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Hello lovely friends, family, and the other dozen dedicated readers who have thought I abandoned my blog. Nope, just been running around under the hot Australian sun. I will attempt to catch up on blogging about my trips the past few months, but with my chaotic life in Sydney I won't make any promises! To give you an idea, I have decided to attend fitness school for my certificate III, as well as take up 3 part-time jobs. But lets back up...to the beginning of December when I took Cameron to Hamilton Island to celebrate his 30th birthday.

Our hotel room was astounding. When we looked at the photos online we couldn't have imagined our room was going to look even better in person! Besides the balcony overlooking the clear waters and beach, the room itself could sleep about 8 people in it. There was a living room with fold out beds, a full kitchen, a master bedroom, a huge bathroom and an eating area large enough to practice dance routines.

But, of course, we didn't come to sit in the hotel room. So we took the 2 minute stroll to the beach where we tanned (or, if you're Cameron, burned).

It is strange to be in a country where Christmas is in the summer. Don't take that as a complaint though, it is absolutely wonderful :)

We often forget to be a tourist in our own country, or city even. Cameron has lived in Sydney for close to 12 years now and never been to Hamilton island (or Whitehaven beach, Whitsundays, Great Barrier Reef). After this trip, I think he is keen to explore more of Australia! 

I know we were told not to feed the cockatoos, but they came right up to our balcony every morning and it was just so hard to resist. These guys are fearless - letting you feed them right out of your hand!

After a day on Hamilton Island we took a trip to Whitehaven beach and the famous Whitsunday islands. There is nothing quite like them - with the purest white sand and the clear warm waters. Do watch out for the jelly fish though, or just wear one of these stunning swimmers:

The following day we took a tour of the Great Barrier Reef. There was a boat that took us a few hours out to a pontoon. Here they had a submarine, snorkelling, helicopter rides and a buffet lunch.

We splurged for the helicopter ride - I mean, how often do you get the opportunity to fly over one of the wonders of the world? 

It was amazing! Below you can see heart reef, which is prominently featured in all tourist photos. The advertisements make you believe it's huge, but in reality the heart is so small you really have to look for it.

After our time in the sky we dove right into the water. We expected lots of fish (it is the Great Barrier Reef after all), but WOW. At times I felt like I was actually lost in a school of fish.

Nothing works up an appetite like snorkelling for hours. So we went back to Hamilton Island for a decadent meal and chilled white wine. The sunset at dinner really was the cherry on top of a perfect holiday.

 ​ 

While some may consider their first love to be a high school sweetheart or college fling, mine is certainly my miniature dachshund. No one has consumed my time, thoughts or heart like this short and long 10 pound fur baby. 

As many of you know, Pixie has had health issues this last month. It began with a little cough and turned out to be the feared "C" word - cancer. We've lost countless hours to restless nights, worry, stress, and panic, but we didn't lose the most important thing. 

I realise that cancer or no cancer she can't be by my side or cuddled up on my lap forever, but she will always be my first love - and that kind of feeling never goes away.

And for fun, here's a timeline of our time together thus far:

Pixie and her "real" mom playing :) She's 7 weeks old here and I've already fallen for those floppy ears and little brown boots.

Pixie begins to train myself and the rest of the household to give in to her every demand. How could I say no to that face?

Pixie sticks by my side through the midriff phase...

...and the thin eyebrow phase...

...and just about all the painfully awkward phases of being a teen.

Pixie celebrates the holidays with me. She allows me to dress her for certain occasions for up to five minutes (pictures last a lifetime though!).

Pixie and I discover we have many similar interests, such as the outdoors and running. Sometimes we run laps together around the living room table.

But our ultimate common interest is each other.

Get well, my sweet soulmate xx

My Instagram feed is constantly full of mountains, lakes, and beautiful places. It inspires me and reminds me how big and full of wonder the world is, cheesy as that sounds. When I see a photo that strikes my fancy I usually screenshot it and do some research on it later - or forget about it and it floats along somewhere in the cloud along with the million photos of my dog. One of these photos I actually researched turned out to be just east of Yosemite, so I convinced my best friend to take a few days from the office and go on a road trip.

I've been to Yosemite a half dozen times, but Mono Lake always seemed out of the way. Melsa and I were driving right by it this time though so we decided to stop. I don't want to say it was disappointing, because the tufa formations were unlike anything I've seen before, but I am glad I never went out of my way to see Mono Lake during previous trips. 

There was a mile loop that walked you through the tufa and allowed for some neat photography. The whole place seemed like another planet - and was eerily quiet. 

At this point we had been driving for over five hours and needed a break. Mono was a bit too creepy and deserted so we looked on the map and saw Convict Lake, which appeared to be right off the main highway. Best. Decision. Ever.

Convict Lake is surrounded by the high Sierras and protected from gusts of wind so we thought it would be the ideal place to SUP. The whole hour we were either pinching ourselves (is this real life?!) or giggling from our excitement.

We got a little daring and tried out some yoga moves on the board. How do people do that? Needless to say, we are far away from combining those two hobbies into one.

After spending time out of the car and high from the release of endorphins we continued another hour or so to Big Pine Creek campground, our home for the next couple of days. 

I set up the hammock right away so Melsa could rest while I set up camp - trade off for driving us the whole way. 

I joke that Melsa and I are the healthiest campers. Our dinner consisted of kale and vegetable quinoa. 

Followed by more time in the hammock. (Best gift ever, Cameron!)

We tried to stay awake until dark, but we ended up sound asleep before 8pm. After 11 hours of sleep it was time to wake up and have a power breakfast: vegetables and eggs, bacon, cornbread and coffee (Michellz, the camping version of Philz). 

Then we hit the trail, hoping to complete the 15 mile loop that would take us by 6 lakes.

The path was gorgeous, taking us along the creek, up into the mountains and through trees with changing colors. Fall is here, guys!

After 5 miles we came to the first lake, which showed off it's beautiful teal water and had Temple Crag standing magnificently in the background. We didn't think it could get better than this.

Then, we arrived at lake two, where the water was even more saturated with that teal color. This was better than in the Instagram photo I had seen in my feed weeks ago.

Besides discovering new favorite lakes and trails, we also discovered our love for Mamma Chia's chia squeezes. 

We ended up seeing all 6 of the lakes, although as Melsa said, compared to lake two the others were horrid. Obviously exaggerating, they were still gorgeous!

Somewhere along mile 9 we lost the trail and ended up bushwhacking for a bit. The key is to keep your cool and have a sense of direction.

When we made it back to camp we happily took off our gear and indulged in some snacking.

​

The following day we packed up and headed to Mammoth Lakes. We put our stuff down at the campsite and headed straight for the trails, as we had a 10 mile hike planned for the day.

Here's the first lake we passed, just a little over a mile in. It's appropriately named Emerald Lake.

This trail was also alive with fall colors. I tried to capture them through the lens, but nothing beats experiencing them first hand.

And here we are on the switchbacks up Duck Pass on our way to Duck Lake. It was a rocky climb, but the views were spectacular. 

And for your entertainment, here's our selfie stick fail:

And then our selfie stick win:

Once you reach the top you can see Pika Lake and Duck Lake, and it's the perfect spot for lunch :)

We were back at camp in no time and still had energy left to burn, so Melsa had the idea of renting bikes. The bike paths took us along (more) beautiful lakes and offered views in almost every direction.

By the time we finished our rides we figured it was beer time. And since Mammoth lodge was near camp, we headed inside to get away from the cold.

Our 4 day getaway was more than I could have asked for and I hope to make it to Mammoth Lakes every year from now on. Of course, I'll only go if this girl comes, because who else can you get a headache with, vomit in the middle of the night with, and lose vision in your eye with and still have the time of your life with? Love you, Mels! I'll think of how excited you got about our matching Mammoth mugs every time I drink out of it.

Other things worth mentioning:

- Melsa informed me during our trip not to eat the squirrel and chipmunk feces, otherwise we might get the plague. 

- If the water tastes like metal you probably shouldn't drink it, even if the camp manager says its safe.

- There is nothing along the 395 from Yosemite to Big Pine Creek. I repeat, nothing.

- Mono Lake is actually not pronounced like mononucleosis.

- When the locals call Big Pine Creek a resort, it is not the kind of resort you are picturing in your mind.

My dad grew up on Oahu in Hawaii and so for as long as I can remember my family and I have flown from the mainland to the islands several times each year. While the focus of each visit remains the same, to visit my 102 year old grandmother, my family and I do our best to incorporate vacation time as well.

Our first and favourite destination for this trip was Turtle Bay, a resort that sits on the most Northern Point of the island. When you tell someone you are going to Oahu, they think Waikiki: crowded beaches, high-end shopping and tourist trap tiki bars. But Turtle Bay is different, it's a part of the island that mostly remains untouched from commercial buildings and tourist attractions (exclude the large Polynesian Cultural Center) and it boasts private, quiet beaches and tropical greens instead of concrete.

The days were spent reading by the beach, snorkelling, biking to the famous Banyan tree (featured in the popular TV series Lost and the well-known movie Hunger Games) – but mostly, we just let the time pass a bit more slowly.

After being refreshed and rejuvenated from the Northern island lifestyle we headed into chaotic Waikiki to visit family. My grandma may live in the now-bustling Honolulu area, but she resides in a quiet room decorated with photos from another time. We went through photo albums, witnessed her comically pull out her dentures, and watched her eat ice cream(!).

To pass the time in Waikiki I looked up a nearby hike I had never done – a 1.5 mile stroll to Monoa Falls. It was such a luscious, green, tropical part of the Honolulu area I had never experienced before. The waterfall at the end was stunning, despite the crowd of people posing in/around/all over. Be warned: get up early and get your butt to the trailhead, because as we were heading down there were mobs of people on the trail.

Until next time Hawaii. *~Aloha~*

I first discovered Desolation Wilderness when Cam came to visit me in California. I have had it on my mind ever since. And with over 63,000 acres there's a lot of discovering to do. 

So Gracie and I headed North to check out Pyramid Peak, an 11-mile day hike. The trail started out perfectly - wildflowers blooming, majestic trees, blue sky and absolutely nobody else around.

The trail takes you right to Lake Sylvia which is the perfect spot to refuel before ascending the summit. 

It is also the perfect spot for a quick photo shoot with your best friend.

Then things got a little tricky. The trail disappeared and the directions I had printed out weren't so clear. 

We figured we would just head up. Up a pile of loose rocks to the top of the mountain ridge. 

The views sure paid off though.

And after about a mile of scrambling up loose rock and boulders we arrived at the summit. Yeah, Pyramid Peak sure didn't disappoint. 

I was so excited to eat lunch I spilled it all over myself. I will neither admit or deny haven eaten that blob off of my dirty leg. Gracie may or may not have trapped a giant bug in her cleavage. And we might have done some staged yoga at the peak. 

In conclusion, Pyramid Peak was an exceptional hike, but not for a beginner as some route finding and climbing was necessary. I would highly suggest a weekend trip with camping overnight at Lake Sylvia. 

My Dad really deserves more than two days to be celebrated (Father’s Day and his birthday). Not only has he dedicated 32 years of doing everything for my brother and I - he has spent his lifetime making the people around him laugh, reflect, ponder and have a good time. If you’ve been lucky enough to have attended one of my Dad’s BBQs or sporting events you know exactly what I mean.

So for his birthday this year my family and I took a long weekend at Camp Richardson to celebrate.

We took a hike around Emerald Bay. I got out my selfie stick and embarrassed my entire family.

Then my brother and I decided to rent a paddle board and kayak. That lasted for 20 minutes before lightening struck and the beach was cleared. There may have been a moment when my parents ran across the beach yelling as we hopelessly tried to paddle and not get knocked over by the waves (yes, waves in Lake Tahoe). One of us succeeded in not getting knocked over.

We took cover from the storm at Beacon Bar and Grill and found out why everybody in the area recommends their rum runners.

The next day we rented bikes and went down memory lane, except this time I was riding my own bike and not the tandem with Dad.

Afterwards we headed downtown to window shop, enjoy bloody marys and soak up some vitamin D. A seafood buffet followed (my hands were too busy cracking the all-you-can eat crab for a photo). After we had stretched our pants tight enough we went to gamble a bit in the casinos.

All in all, a successful weekend with the family. Thank you, Dad, for being you and always knowing how to have a good time!

And here are few photos from on our way to the park, along the road in Half Moon Bay... because, flowers are pretty :) 

To many people’s surprise, I didn’t look up any hikes or plan a route – I just grabbed my hiking buddy and followed my GPS. We grabbed a map at the Visitor Center and decided to take a longest loop on the map.

The longest loop turned out to be somewhere around 10 miles, which flew by  quickly with Gracie and I chattering away about feminism, gun control, travel plans, career goals and relationships.

Along the trail we saw a bunch of banana slugs , big and small – but best of all, we saw very few people. It felt as though we had the whole trail to ourselves.

While Butano State Park won’t offer you an ocean view, lake view or a high summit point for you to look down from, it is a beautiful and enchanting getaway from the city, office, home life.

Now, you can also access Glacier Point by driving right up to the top, but honestly - where is the fun in that?

Every twist and turn of the switchbacks led us to a more stunning view.

I'll admit it, by mile 7 or 8 we were feeling our sore feet and forming blisters. When we arrived back to the campsite the chilled Coronas in the cooler were definitely well deserved.

Melsa got to experience my go-to camping meal, cous cous and veggies (added garlic almonds this time too!)

We woke up with sore feet but light spirits, and after the bacon we set off with heavy, full stomachs. Our second day of hiking was going to be twice as long: 20 miles roundtrip on the Clouds Rest trail.

The first few miles follow the same trail as if you’re going to Half Dome – the Mist Trail to Nevada Falls. When the trail splits – that’s when things get good. The views are breathtaking – or maybe it was just the never ending switchbacks

Reaching the top was bittersweet. We were rewarded with a 360 view of Yosemite – a view far more spectacular than my images depict. Yet, at the same time, it was much more crowded than expected. The switchbacks on the way up had been empty. Turns out there are two trails that lead to Clouds Rest – and we took the much harder of the two (sorry, feet).

Fun fact: Clouds Rest actually looks down on Half Dome, as it is over 1,000ft higher in elevation.

The decent was… miserable. Melsa and I were trying our best to get back to camp before the sun went down, but blisters and sores were plentiful and kept us at a slow pace. To top it off, when we did arrive to the campground cafeteria, tired and famished, it had closed 10 minutes earlier. We bought frozen burritos and ate them by the microwave in the gift shop. To all those people in line buying postcards and tee shirts – don’t judge.

The third day we decided that there would be no hiking – or shoes – involved. We drove to check out Tenaya Lake and then headed into Groveland for a hot meal not cooked in my one dirty camping pot. It tasted glorious.

Weekend wrap up: Glacier Point and Clouds Rest were two of the best hikes I’ve completed in Yosemite and highly recommend them. I would recommend the easier route to Clouds Rest though, starting from Tioga Pass and hiking downhill for a couple miles versus the 10 mile trek of uphill switchbacks.

I have to give a special shout to Melsa, who managed to get the largest blisters I have ever seen in my life and still powered through 30 miles in 2 days with very limited complaining. Cheers to you, my strong, sometimes bossy (lol) best friend! Cheers to many more (less painful) hikes in the future!

This summer I am checking a lot of Bay Area hikes off my list, including Big Basin. Despite California being in a severe drought I decided to check out the Berry Creek Trail, known for its giant redwood trees, numerous waterfalls and the main attraction - Berry Falls.

Big Basin is home to many Banana Slugs - be mindful when around these guys and don't pick them up with your hands, the salt on our skin is deadly to them.

We came across a few smaller waterfalls before Berry Falls, which weren't impressive, but still beautiful.

Here's the majestic Berry Falls, still going despite the drought:

My review of the Berry Creek Trail is a positive one. I found it wasn't too crowded, especially compared to some other Bay Area hikes (such as Point Reyes, Tomales Bay and Mission Peak). The trail was a maintained 10 miles that winded uphill and downhill among the towering redwood trees and left you satisfied, refreshed and tired all at once.

The Heaven and Hell Trail

Rise and Shine or You'll Bake and Burn

The Trail of Sweat, Pain and Almost Tears

Here I am fresh, cheerful and ready to take on the ten miles uphill in the brutal heat with a backpack that is too heavy (but someone has to carry the bacon!).

My friend and I were headed for Sykes Camp which is where you can find natural hot springs, making it a popular Big Sur destination. Luckily, the ten mile hike weeds out a lot of tourists. 

The Pine Ridge Trail is a beautiful windy trail that even I couldn't get lost on. There are only about two forks in the trail during the entire trip.

Here we are still being cheerful and full of life. Playing with the tall grass and spring flowers.

The views were plentiful and the weather was cooperating. We started the hike early enough where there were still pockets of shade now and again. Be warned, this hike should not be attempted after 10am.

This sign (above) was tempting us to set up camp at the seven mile marker, but we decided to stick with it. Let me just say, the next three miles were loooooong.

But, finally, we arrived at Sykes Camp - dirty, sweaty, exhausted, and bruised from carrying our backpacks. Did I mention dirty?

The Sykes campground is amazing and made every step worth it. Clear water flowed through shaded trees and we practically threw our shoes off to go splash around.

We set up the tent, changed into our bathing suits, and followed the cairns towards the hot springs. 

The springs were smaller than I expected, fitting only about four people at a time (and really, only two comfortably). Only a handful of others had survived the journey to the springs though, so we had the place mostly to ourselves.

We waded through the water back to camp, enjoying the cold on our feet. 

Dinner was next on the agenda - and you guessed it - cous cous and veggies (as always). Followed by chocolate which was devoured too quickly to even snap a photo of.

Staying awake until a decent hour was the second hardest part of the trip. Our bodies wanted to sleep at 5pm, but we knew better. We managed to stay awake until 7pm, thanks to the entertainment of my selfie stick.

Now, my favourite part - brekky! There is nothing quite like coffee, bacon and eggs after a night in the tent.

Here we are right before our ten miles back to the parking lot. We're feeling optimistic knowing that our packs are a bit lighter and its all downhill from here...

But then, this is how I looked when we finally made it to car park. Turns out going downhill isn't so easy either.

Part 3 takes us to Yosemite. We drove after work on a weekday and stayed in the cutest little hotel, Hotel Charlotte, in the cutest little town of Groveland.

We had a jacuzzi in the room - pair that with some brew and you have the perfect way to end a long day and begin a great vacation.

I pulled over at the Yosemite sign so that we could take the mandatory touristy photo.

This seems like a good time to mention that I was all wrong about selfie sticks. I rolled my eyes before, but now I am a changed woman - they are the best. Can you even tell we're using one? (below) 

We scored and got a first-come-first-serve campsite at Camp 4. We really scored when we got everything set up before any rain came through.

There were squirrels everywhere, which was obviously a huge plus for Cam and I. Here we are following the rules and not feeding the squirrels...

The rest of Day 1 in Yosemite included scouting good photo spots, trying to find top rope routes to climb, viewing Yosemite Falls and hiking to Mirror Lake.

At the end of the day, we cooked cous cous with veggies (the go-to camping meal) and added garlic almonds from the Farmers Market. I often dream of this eating this meal, paired with a Pale Ale and a warm fire.

The start of Day 2 was a bit rough. A storm was supposed to come through so if we wanted to make it to Half Dome as planned we would have to start early- like 5am early. With heavy eyelids and empty stomachs we marched up the trail. 

Nothing like the Mist Trail to wake you up. Being mid-May the trail certainly lived up to its name.

We beat the storm and made record timing. Check out the cables from the top: (photo taken by Cam)

On the way down we took our time, enjoying the waterfalls and epic views.

And the storm did eventually hit us...

The last day we were lazy and the rain outside didn't help with that. Our stove ran out so we shamefully ate Funyuns and protein bars for breakfast before heading into the car in search of vista points. We made it to the lookouts, but with heavy clouds and fog there wasn't much to see. Despite the weather, our moods were cheerful and the trip was an overall success. Especially after the blackberry pie with extra whipped cream at the Iron Door Grill.

Sadly, Yosemite was Cam's last highlight before returning to Sydney, but I took enough photos to keep us busy on instagram for the rest of the year.

From Desolation Wilderness, we drove to Reno, Nevada for a baseball extravaganza my Dad set up. 

When we arrived we were dirty, smelly, tired and hungry. We checked in and headed up expecting a modest hotel room, but instead we were greeted with a suite surprise (Thank you for the upgrade Dad!).

Jacuzzi next to the king size bed overlooking Reno? Don't mind if I do.

From here, it just kept getting better. Did someone say buffet?

It was fun introducing Cam to family and friends. It was even more fun drinking and devouring non-camping food.

The next day was for baseball. I don't know much about sports so I don't have much to say about this afternoon.

...Except that there were lots of smiles....

... Lots of beer...

...Lots of healthy food options...

...and Cam even got a baseball for a souvenir to take home!

I can't remember if it was a close game, or who won, but it was an afternoon well spent. Look at these two winners!

A special thank you to my Dad, who so often brings us all together and takes so much time organising all the details.

It was bittersuite to say bye to our fancy hotel room, but San Francisco was waiting to be explored.

Of course, we covered the main tourist attractions like visiting the Golden Gate Bridge and walking Lands End.

Although we were on the go a lot, we still had time to relax at home, make Pavlovas, and - most importantly - bond with Pixie.

Out of all the places I have hiked and explored in California, including parks such as Yosemite, Big Sur and Muir Woods, Desolation Wilderness is my current favourite. The hike we did was not for the faint of heart though, be prepared for bear tracks, getting lost and knee-deep snow.

Getting off track the first time. (above)

Eagle lake is the first lake we encountered, still expect a handful of people around here as its the beginning of the hike, but can you blame them? Its gorgeous! (Note: the rest of the trip we saw a total of 10 people or less!)

My dad swore up and down there would be no snow. Thankfully we brought our boots just in case. 

Getting off track  again (above) and looking for cairns (below).

We chose a camping spot right below Dicks Pass and adjacent to a stream. No set campsites here, just pick a place that suits you. The first night we feasted on our favourite camping meal - cous cous and veggies. 

Dinner was followed by a nature's fabulous light show. It doesn't get much better than watching that golden light hit the peaks.

We fuelled up on bacon and eggs the next morning and then searched for some indication of a trail in the snow. We found one and Cam led, this way he fell in all the snow pits first. Such a gentleman :) 

Sometimes when hiking you'll hit a point when your feet are wet and the snow is reflecting the sunlight blindingly into your eyes and you'll wonder why you left your bed at home and embarked on this journey. When you get to that point, you just have to take a good look around. Yup, totally worth it.

We came to several partially frozen lakes after Dicks Pass, making for some neat photo opportunities and (possibly dangerous) fun. (below)

Then we came to what we thought was Dicks Lake. Which we cleverly refer to as not-dicks-lake from here on out. 

When the exploring was done for the day we cozied up in the hammock.

...and drank whiskey. Here's Cam after the first taste:

Here I am after the first taste:

The third day came too quickly and we packed up and hiked down. 

When we got to the car we shoved our backpacks and dirty clothes in the trunk and pulled out the rope and harnesses. Time to climb!

I wouldn't trust anyone else to set up the anchor and belay me outdoors. Thanks for putting up with my climbing fears and neurotics, Cam! 

The wall, appropriately named the 90-foot wall, was much harder than it looked. I am still convinced Cam pulled me up part of the way. 

The trip was a huge success and one of my favourite spots to daydream about from my office desk. Of course, it was made so special by my guest from overseas! Never a dull moment with this guy around...

I may not know who the Bachlorette picked, or which movies won what awards, or even know what sports season it is, but I can tell you all about the hiking trails in the Bay Area. 

With Spring here people are crowding the trails on the weekends, making it harder to find solitude in the great outdoors. Places like Point Reyes, Mission Peak and Tomales Bay are packed by 10am on a Saturday or Sunday.

McNee Ranch State Park is a bit of a gem. It is close to the city (about a 20 minute drive from the heart of San Francisco), offers typical California Bay Area views of coastlines and grassy hills, and while you won't be alone out on the trail, the crowds are minuscule in comparison to those mentioned above. 

Did I mention that your favourite hiking buddy can come along on the trails too? Yup, this is a dog friendly zone.

The North Peak Trail is an 8 mile route that will have your buns burning from the steep incline, but makes up for it in vista points. Thanks for coming along Yana and Dasher - hiking the trails with someone always makes the burn better :) 

One of my favourite things to do while travelling is visit the local markets - turns out, it is also one of my favourite things to do right here at home in California. Gracie encouraged me to make a visit to the San Mateo Farmers Market last week which I have somehow never been to before. Thank you Gracie, my work week lunches will never be the same! 

Look at the rainbow swiss chard (above) - isn't is gorgeous? 

I am hooked on these beans - they have been sprouted, releasing enzymes which make them healthier and easier to digest. They are absolutely amazing in my quinoa salads at lunch. 

These colours and patterns, its hard to believe they are completely natural. 

There's my running buddy, head-lamp walking, food photographer extraordinaire!  

I was just getting back in routine at home when my new job decided I should attend a work event - in Hannover, Germany. Two days later I had my passport in hand and was in route to Paris > Hannover. This wasn't my first time to Germany, as my brother spent a few years living there when I was in university and my family and I would make regular visits, but it was my first time to Hannover. 

The Old Town was quaint and charming, but quite small, about a three block radius in total. Of course, the city took quite a hit during WWII so it was to be expected.

If you are vegetarian, Germany is not the place for you. I generally try to intake as little meat as possible, but there was no hope in Hannover. Sausage and potatoes were the hot items on every menu. 

Cheese for breakfast? Yes please! The hotel I stayed at, Hotel Wegner, was the perfect German accommodation. Traditional breakfast spreads, friendly staff, and clean rooms.

I did get one day off during my trip to venture over to the Herrenhaussen Gardens, which were completely dead due to the freezing temperatures. I am sure in the spring this place is breathtaking. 

The famous painter Niki de Saint Phalle painted this grotto in the gardens. It was beautiful, and such a contrast to the cold, empty branches I saw all about the gardens. 

I did get to see some live plants when I visited the Orchid garden across the street. To be honest, I bought a ticket to stay warm in the greenhouse, but these flowers were a nice bonus.

All in all, Hannover was - ok. It was too cold for my liking, the food too heavy, and the city a bit too bland. But for two weeks of work, it was exciting, fun, and absolutely exhausting. 

We started from Bear Gulch and headed to the caves and reservoir before continuing to High Peaks trail.

The trail starts off with stunning rocks, lush greenery and beautiful spring flowers. And the sights only get better as you go...

"This is why I do yoga" - Gracie 

A section of the trail is labeled "steep and narrow" but the steps (above) are totally worth it. The top of the pinnacles make for a perfect snack spot (below). 

Today I am back to the run/work/sleep routine, but I have the memories and photos from this weekend to tide me over until I can pick a new spot on the map to explore.

Who? My two lovely friends and I.

Distance? 9.5 miles of maintained trail along the coast.

Weather? Heavy fog followed by clear blue skies. 

I mean... seriously heavy fog. On a good note, it made for some magical picture taking opportunities.

Yay - the fog cleared! And just in time to view the elk:

After two hours we made it to the point. Save your picnic lunch for here - tons of views to admire while refuelling for the trek back.

The entire trail is exposed so make sure to bring sunscreen. My friend Rachel, pictured above, got creative and sported two baseball caps with an extra windbreaker draped over them.

I am always happy to get outside and thankful I live in an area that offers so many options for hiking, climbing, and exploring. Also thankful for my beautiful friends who accompany me and make sitting through traffic tolerable. What's not to smile about?

Trekking through the bush, twigs scratching your legs, hauling your backpack uphill, lugging your backpack down rocky slopes, searching for your location on the map, feasting on candy and granola bars - I'd take it over a day in the office any day. 

The trek to Starlight Canyon started out with a steep incline. It took us the better part of an hour before we reached the top and were rewarded with beautiful views.

After many GPS readings and searching on the map we finally found the entrance to the canyon. I let Cameron secure me in for the first few abseils down, but am proud to say by the third abseil I was tying myself in and safely getting from top to bottom. 

We all wore helmets while canyoning, which of course I thought everyone looked ridiculously dorky in - cue the picture taking.

Starlight Canyon is gorgeous. We trekked along the water, in the water, over and under trees - I had never been canyoning before so I didn't know what to expect, but I was loving it!

Then there was a snake. The poisonous tiger snake was perched on a log and we were unable to pass without risking a bite. We had to navigate back up and around the area to the next anchor. When we abseiled back down we were greeted with narrow walls and an overall dark, damp atmosphere. We trekked onwards and slowly stepped deeper and deeper in water until it reached my chest. We entered a tunnel and pretty soon the only light visible was from our headlamps - and the hundreds of glow worms that appeared like stars above us. It was a magical experience and for a few moments I even forgot about the poisonous snakes that could be lurking around. 

My fear became a reality when we exited the tunnel and encountered two more poisonous snakes, both red-bellied black snakes. Luckily, at this point we only had one last abseil before we could head back to the safety of our tent.

The final abseil was beautiful, but difficult for a beginner such as myself. I abseiled straight through a waterfall, slipping and swinging uncontrollably the whole way. Cameron, pictured below, was much more graceful.

The whole trek took us 12 hours and we ended up in the pitch black the last few hours. We were unbothered by the dark though, and walked hand in hand with our headlamps on all the way back to camp. It was a good day. 

The next morning we woke up to kangaroos thumping around our campsite. There must have been about 30 kangaroos in total! A few hours passed and we finally woke up enough to cook a delicious veggie breakfast which was followed by a low-key hike.

Wollemi was once the home to an oil mining facility and the ruins can still be found in the park. It was beautiful to see the contrast between the building remains and the wild green nature around it.

The short trek offered many great views and some less threatening animals along the way.

A shower was overdue so when we crossed the river we decided to make good use of the Wilderness Wash I brought along. I can't recommend this product enough!

In my opinion, the weekend always goes by too quickly. Before I knew it we were leaving the canyons, snakes, kangaroos and ruins behind us and heading back to Sydney. My favourite part of the trip? It wasn't the vista points, working on my abseil skills, or enjoying a freeze-dried beef teriyaki dinner after a long day of trekking. It was spending time with this goofy outdoorsman:

Missing you already, Cameron! Counting down the days till our next adventure...

We went to Point Reyes National Seashore and followed the Coast Trail to Alamere Falls. The dirt path led us through tall trees, thick shrubs, across creeks, along two lakes, and offered beautiful coastline views. 

The waterfalls were gorgeous, but the best part of the day was chatting away with a close friend. As we left and drove away, twisting and turning our way back towards the city, Gracie and I excitedly planned our future weekend getaways and hiking adventures. 

A day spent outdoors is a day well spent, and a day spent outdoors with your best friend is everything you could ask for. Happy to be home with you Gracie! Can't wait for the next adventure :)

I may have only squeezed one camping trip in 2014, but it was a memorable one. The terror of finding the first leech latched on the back of my leg, the panic of almost stepping on a yellow-backed Python, and the taste of my first freeze-dried meal are memories that won't be forgotten (although I might rather forget a few of those). Thank goodness I was with Cameron, who knew exactly how to pull off a leech, came running no matter how many snakes I screamed over, and at the end of a day's hike still liked me enough to hang in the hammock and share a dehydrated meal.

This (below) was our campsite for the first night in Budawang National Park. It didn't take us long to realise we shared the site with leeches. Swaying safely above them in the hammock was the most activity we had this day, and we were ok with that.

Day two began as all fabulous days do, with bacon and eggs. Then we packed up our gear, left the leeches behind, and headed up to a spot named The Castle. A few hours into the hike and we were rewarded with views of treetops for as far as the eye could see.  

A waterfall, several rope climbs and a few tight squeezes later we arrived at our destination. The Castle offered uninterrupted views of rock and greenery in all directions.

There were also pools of water at the top - filled with tadpoles!

We made our way down from the Castle and decided to pitch the tent, hang the hammock and find a water source. 

Pictured below is the waterfall we found "near" camp. It took Cam's climbing rope and a lot of encouraging words to get me there, but we made it to the water source. It also acted as our shower for the next few days.

Day three had an exciting start. Sleepy-eyed I headed to the toilet and spotted the creature I was hoping to avoid the entire trip. The snake was a few steps in front of me so I turned around and sprinted back to camp, all while screaming in terror. Cameron snapped a few photos before it slithered off the trail. 

After I mentally recovered from my close encounter we headed out for a day hike to the Shrouded Gods. The hike was beautiful and lush - and completely overgrown. 

Even between the compass, map, bushwalking book and trail markers (tiny pieces of orange tape here and there) we lost the trail. Frustrated, we decided to head back to camp and feast on freeze-dried meals, marshmallows and whiskey. 

This view from our camp isn't too bad either :) At the end of the day, there isn't anything to complain about when you have food, water, a view and good company.

Waking up the fourth day was much more peaceful than the previous. I slept in, enjoyed sipping coffee from inside the tent and watched the sun peek through the trees. We took our time heading back to the car, I cheerfully sang Taylor Swift lyrics out loud and silently pictured the burger I was going to order when we got on the road.

Some people say experiences are better shared. I have been travelling solo a lot this year and loving it, but I will admit that the long weekend trip was made a lot more special with somebody to walk beside (or behind... so that they catch all the cobwebs). Thank you Cameron!

My dear friend Cinzia returned to Italy this December, but before she was due to head home we decided to go on a holiday - to celebrate our friendship. A week on a small Fijian island seemed fitting for our celebration. Here's our first sight of Fiji from the plane:

And here's our first bit of Fijian currency (taken as we were giggling uncontrollably with excitement):

The people in Fiji were all exceptionally friendly. Everywhere you went people greeted you with a big genuine grin and "Bula!"

Our first night we stayed in Nadi at Smugglers Cove, for $20 a night you got a beachfront view and clean accommodation (highly recommend this backpacker hostel).

We soon left mainland Fiji for the Mamanuca Islands. Our new home for the week would be Ratu Kini Dive Resort on Mana Island, also known as a little paradise where the views are breathtaking and time moves a little slower.

Since we wanted to be spoiled on our holiday we stayed in a private beachfront cottage. The hammock out front was my favourite place to lounge on the island.

The staff at the resort went above and beyond to make our stay comfortable and unique. We really took to one staff member in particular, Amini, who showed us around the entire island and picked coconuts for us. The walk around the island only took us about 40 minutes in total.

Fresh flowers were picked by the staff each morning and put in our hair behind our ear. Left ear represents you are single, right ear shows you are married.

This (below) is a breadfruit and they were growing all over the island. They are as big as a bowling ball and taste like a potato. 

Amini showed us how to hunt crabs on the island by sticking your arm into these holes in the sand. I don't think I will be taking up this activity anytime soon. 

Here's Amini climbing up the coconut tree to knock down our refreshing afternoon snack:

He reassured us he was safe and that he has been climbing trees since the age of ten, but Cinzia and I would still worry as we watched in awe.

At the resort everyone ate meals at the same time, so by the end of the week our fellow travellers really felt like family.

At dinner each night Amini, along with a few other staff members, played live music for the guests.

After dinner entertainment included hermit crab races, dancing, and fire shows.

My favourite meal was breakfast. Despite the weak coffee, breakfast meant freshly picked fruits and a beachfront view.

One morning we found a local resident lounging on outside our room:

After breakfast we would grab our towels, books and sunscreen and walk the ten steps from our room to the beach.

We went kayaking one day. That day we learned that a one-person kayak really is just for one person.

One afternoon we took a trip to a nearby island, you may know the island from the popular Tom Hanks movie Castaway.

I was wary the island may just be a crowded tourist spot due to the movie being filmed there, but we got there and were the only people on the entire island. The beach showed off beautiful shades of blue water and white sand. We hiked to a view point at the top of the island and snorkelled in the shallow waters. This was a great spot for snorkelling - Cinzia even saw a small shark!

Another afternoon we spent making coconut jewellery. Cinzia and I had also found all these perfectly round shells on the beach with natural holes in the middle, perfect for a bracelet. 

Let me tell you, coconut jewellery making is not safe. We were given the hard shell of a coconut and a flimsy, sharp saw blade. Then the staff told us to cut out a shape and sand it. I was sure one of us was going to leave the island with one less finger.

My last day on the island I asked Amini to take me up this hill where there was a 360 view of the island:

During our stay there was a "Fijian Night" where we ate traditional Fijian food for dinner and drank kava.

Kava was an interesting experience. The mixture itself tasted like muddy water and when you finished the bowl your mouth would tingle with numbness. It also is known to make you sleepy, so the Fijian's were falling asleep throughout the Fijian Night party.

Our holiday in Fiji left us relaxed, cheerful and very tan. We had met lovely people, eaten fresh food, and let our worries float out of mind. Now I am missing Fiji, my friend Cinzia, and witnessing these gorgeous sunsets together:

Wishing my friend all the best in Italy and looking forward to our next adventure! xx

My friend and I thought Fraser Island was amazing and didn't think that anyplace could get better, but it did when we headed to the Whitsunday Islands!

After a 12 hour bus ride (which wasn't nearly as bad as it sounds!) we decided to spend the day at Hamilton Island. The ferry ride there showed off teal blue waters and sneak peeks of beautiful island shores.

Of course, as soon as we exited the ferry we searched for food. We found a cafe right off the water and kicked back with a few brews. Ahhhh, holiday never felt so good.

After lunch we walked the few steps from the cafe to the beach, where the water was clear, shallow and surrounded by scenic nature.

Our trip to Hamilton Island ended with a true Aussie experience - koala cuddling! 

The following day we took another ferry to the famous Whitsunday. The views are pretty indescribable, so I hope these pictures give you some idea.

The sand on Whitehaven beach is so pure and soft that it'll cost you a $60,000 fine if you get caught trying to take some home with you.

When you go snorkelling or swimming in the water its recommended to wear one of these stylish suits to stay safe from the poisonous jellies!

What better way to end a perfect holiday than with your best friend and a beautiful sunset? Thank you Melsa for visiting and making our holiday so much fun! xx

Once we landed in Hervey Bay we switched from champagne to fresh fruit juice and hit the beach (only a five minute walk from our hostel).

The following day we boarded the ferry to Fraser Island! Our two day tour of the island was full of surprises and excitement - from a 4WD bus carrying 40 people and driving chaotically through the sand (and, a few times, I thought surely to our death) to naturally formed swimming pools containing water so clear you could always keep an eye on your toes.

Lake McKenzie was my favourite part of the entire trip at Fraser Island. This is a fresh water lake and is a bit too acidic for many species to live in. But, with its pure silica white sand and clear blue water it sure is a beautiful sight.

There are no roads on Fraser Island so everyone drives right on the sand! There is a large stretch along the coast that is referred to as the "highway".

The bus couldn't take us everywhere on the island though. To get to this swimming hole (below) we had to trek a mile uphill in the sand. 

On the second day of our tour we saw a few of the tourist must-dos such as the shipwrecked boat, the Pinnacles, and the Red Canyon.

But the far more exciting part of the day was Indian Head. After a short five minute scramble up some rocks you get this amazing lookout. From both sides as far as the eyes can see is white sand and soft teal waves coming into shore.

After playing around a bit in the sand we drove to the Champagne Pools, naturally formed pools along the coastline. The waves come crashing in and the foam from the water is how the pools got their name.

Our Fraser Island tour ended with a short trek through a creek and a relaxing afternoon sunbathing. Come to think of it, I should have been terrified walking through the jungle creek water, as there are 19 species of snakes on Fraser Island - 15 being very poisonous and the other 4 deadly. I suppose I'll just be thankful I survived and lived to experience the next part of our trip...the Whitsundays!

Melsa is a dear friend who I met through university and have been close with ever since. She is one of those friends who you can tell anything to, laugh at nothing in particular with, and expect to fly out of the country for the first time to visit you abroad. We had two weeks to spend together in Australia and we wanted to make every minute count. Here's the recap:

First stop - Ampersand for Melsa's first sip of delicious Aussie coffee. Second stop - the Opera House.

I made sure Melsa tried some Australian beers - and you can see here she is just as excited about the colourful $35 of AUD as she is the brew.

Breakfasts were a big part of our holiday. I took Melsa to all my favourites including Kawa (above) and Lumiere (below).

 It was a good thing we walked a lot in Sydney, including the beautiful Bondi to Coogee walk. 

We did our fair share of lounging on Bondi beach as well...

Single Origin Roasters is noted on Buzzfeed as one of the coffee shops in Australia you must visit. They're right. 

The coffee was spectacular (as long as you don't order the drip coffee) and the MUFFIN, well, it is simply the best muffin I've ever tasted.

Market City is home to the well-known Paddy's Market where you can literally find anything. We found our way to the fresh coconuts.

Afterwards, we splurged on Thai massages... side note: you're supposed to keep your clothes on for these massages. We learned this the uncomfortable awkward kind of way.

Watson Bay has everything you need to make a perfect afternoon: the beach, pitchers of lashes, and crab sliders.

There is also a short lighthouse trek at Watson Bay that offers skyline views of Sydney and shows off the beautiful coastline. 

Each night we unwound over some pints and a good meal. Pictured below is the Beresford Hotel, one of my go-to places for happy hour and the best bruschetta. 

Melsa also had the chance to meet a few of my friends here. It was wonderful to see them all click and get along so well!

After four busy days of sightseeing and eating our way through Sydney we took off for some island time. Fraser Island and Whitsunday! 

More detail on those trips to come soon :)

Cinzia did all of our makeup (thank you chica!) and her fake blood was so good Sophie even got queasy!

Sophie wore this amazing velvet dress with shoulder pads that was perfect for the occasion and sported one of the many huntsman from her home...

My best impression of the walking dead...

Aren't my friends adorable?

Maroubra beach is a great place to be on a sunny day. If you're like me and don't like the crowds of Bondi Beach, but travelling the 2 hour bus ride to Palm Beach is a bit much, then Maroubra is the perfect in-between. 

I am currently reading Hide and Seek by James Patterson. His books are always exciting and entertaining, perfect for a beach day.

Have a great weekend everyone! Happy Halloween!

Language. Despite the language being English I admit to Googling many Aussie terms. "There's rocket on my sandwich?" "We are going to meet in the arvo?" Mastering the lingo and words used here takes many conversations and cafe orders. The day will come when you wont need to Google "Where's the nearest dunny?"

Not getting (too) lost. That moment when you can walk to the grocery store and post office without consulting your phone's GPS.

Running. That moment when you know the area well enough to establish your running routes.

Ordering food and coffee. There are no sugar free vanilla lattes or chocolate chip frappuccinos here. Knowing the typical Australian coffee menu is a must. Ordering food at a cafe may seem simple, but when common ingredients you're used to are named differently, ie: capsicum (red pepper), rocket (arugula), and halloumi (type of cheese) its easy to get confused.

Getting used to cockroaches. It is hard to believe, but you will get used to it - at least a little bit. You will stop screaming when you see one on the sidewalk and you won't be utterly shocked when you see one at the cafe you're eating at. 

Shopping. Coles and Woolworths are cheaper than IGA for groceries and Cotton On is more affordable than Sportsgirl for clothing. I can tell you where the best malls are, the nearest grocery stores and which ones have better produce or less designer shops. 

Riding the bus. I remember getting on the 380 bus and asking someone around me which stop was Bondi Beach. It is a common question on the 380 or 333 and it is a question I answer often for tourists riding the bus with me. I answer with a huge smile on my face, its so obvious when you get there.

Sydney has jumped straight into summer this week with the temperatures reaching 90 degrees. I can't think of a better time to be living here - you are always a short bus ride from the beach. Palm beach, located in Northern Sydney, is a beautiful sandy stretch with a quiet atmosphere. My friend and I took the day to write in the sand, look for seashells, catch up on reading, and converse about our futures.

Side note: I have been loving Lena Dunham for some time now and her book Not that Kind of Girl just came out. Will be reading non-stop for the next few days.

My original travel plans for this year have me leaving Sydney at the end of November, but now that it is already October the idea of leaving in two months just doesn't feel right. So I made some revisions to my plans and I will be staying in Sydney through the beginning of 2015. How odd will it be to have Christmas in the middle of summer? 

On another note, I am doing exceptionally well in Sydney. I have met such wonderful people here and am so thankful to have crossed paths with them, even if just for a short amount of time. It's amazing when you find that connection with people, because really, if you think about the vastness of space or the immensity of time - what are the chances? Leaving Australia will be difficult to say the least... if I ever leave... 

I noticed all these tiny holes in the sand on the trail and finally stopped to get a better look - and that is when I saw the most massive ant I have ever seen! It's hard to tell from the photo, but these guys were 10x the size of normal ants back home. My friend alerted me not to get too close, as the bite from one of these is painful.

When we got to Shelley Beach we took a break to search for seashells and admire the beautiful red cliffs.

There were also blue bottle jellyfish all washed up along shore - they pop if you step on one, but watch out for the sting!

We continued a bit further until we found a sandy cove to swim at. We were not alone though, and ended up sharing the small beach with a couple other people. From the lack of clothing worn we soon realised we had stumbled across a nude beach. 

A quick swim, lunch break and a few snail races later we headed back along the trail towards the ferry. We met with an unexpected visitor though - a red-bellied black snake, which is a poisonous snake common in eastern Australia. I may label myself as outdoorsy and love nothing more than a long exerting hike, but seeing a deadly snake on the trail made me wish I was back safe in my bed. I was terrified, and it took us 20 minutes of brainstorming and contemplating what to do before the snake slithered off into the tall grass. We tiptoed along the trail and crossed the final stretch of beach into town. We celebrated our escape of a venomous death with ice cream and waited for the ferry back to Sydney.

At Jenolan Caves there are several tours to choose from, we went with the Lucas Cave Tour and the Chifley Cave Tour. On both tours we were given the history and science of the cave, but the guides also kept things light and entertaining. Many formations and parts of the caves had creative names, for example: the curtain...

The broken column...

The three little sisters... (see original three sisters here)

Slice of bacon...

To celebrate my official six months of living in Sydney I decided to take a long weekend away to the second most popular city in Australia - Melbourne. Determined not to miss a thing during my short stay I had meticulously planned out every hour of the trip (that doesn't sound like me, right?). 

First thing on my itinerary was food (obviously). Just a five minute walk from my hotel and I was at the Queen Victoria Market. This was more of a festival than a market - there was so much going on and you could get lost walking around all the stalls! There was everything there: seafood, coffee, candy, pastries, underwear, suits, toys, kitchenware, souvenirs, etc.

I wasn't sure how to choose a food stall to eat at so I went with the one with a long line, hoping the other people waiting knew what they were doing. The bratwurst with sauerkraut ended up to be a solid decision, although, obscenely large (see my hand for scale).

In an attempt to walk off a fraction of my lunch I went down my list of sites to see: Degraves Street, Bourke Street Mall, Flinders Railway Station, Queen Victoria Gardens, and the Shrine of Remembrance.

My favourite parts of Melbourne were all the narrow alleys full of shops and cafes. I would be walking on this busy main street and then turn in an alleyway and be surrounded by these quaint flower shops, wine bars, and hip cafes. Check out this one, doesn't it look magical?

My second day was spent on an all-day tour of the Great Ocean Road. The 151 mile road is packed full of spectacular views and breathtaking sights.

The Great Ocean Road is probably best known for the Twelve Apostles. Fun fact: there are only eight limestone stacks left, as over time they erode and crumble under their own weight. In this picture below you can actually see where the one closest to the camera has fallen.

Did I mention this is a popular destination? It was a bit crowded to say the least.

My favourite sight on the road was Loch Ard Gorge - look how beautiful! I decided to take my shoes off here and stick my feet in the Southern Ocean for the first time (it was very cold).

More photos from the Great Ocean Road, including London Arch and Gibson Steps (I think you'll figure out which ones those are)...

On the tour I also enjoyed some time with the wildlife. This included koala spotting and bird feeding. At first there were just a few birds and everything felt under control:

Then they just kept showing up and things got a bit out of hand:

My third day was again filled with nature and animal encounters. I had decided to take a tour of Phillip Island, which is known for the Penguin Parade! But first, the tour began with wallaby and kangaroo feeding:

Spotted! I finally saw a little joey - can you see it?

Then we headed to a few beaches:

And we did a few coastal walks:

But the best part of the day was what happened after sunset... the Penguin Parade! Unfortunately, there were no cameras or phones allowed, so you will just have to fly down to Australia and see the spectacle for yourself! Once the sun had gone down and they felt safe enough the penguins, known as fairy penguins or little penguins, waddled from the ocean, across the beach, and to their burrows in the grassy hillside. They looked like this and you are this close to them! I watched about 1,000 penguins cross the beach, and in the summer about twice as many penguins make the journey!

The little guys only grow up to be 13 inches in height and they are the tiniest species of penguin - and darn cute if you ask me. The waves knock them over like bowling pins and they were quite slow crossing the beach despite their best waddling efforts. It just amazes me that these tiny guys spend all day in the vast ocean fishing and make this gruelling journey back to their burrows each night. Then again, I've been told that the little ones often have the most fight in them :)

Day 1

I looked up a few highly rated cafes in Brisbane to try out, but what I didn't realise was how difficult they would be to find! Instead of being on the main street a lot of the cafes would be down alleyways and hidden from the public eye. I felt like a local walking in and was secretly patting myself on the back.

Queen Street Mall is the place for shopping. Block after block there are shops and malls to get lost in. I had to use my iPhone's GPS a few times to find my way out!

One of my favourite activities is visiting local markets. I accidentally ran into this one on the way back to the hotel. It was full of food stalls, groceries, and sweet treats. I bought a seafood paella for lunch and couldn't pass up one of the extravagant juices that came with sliced pineapple and a banana (?!). 

The weather was beautiful in Brisbane, which made walking in the Botanical Gardens even more enjoyable. I am always pleasantly surprised at how well kept and groomed all the parks and public areas in Australia are. Way to go Aussies!

After walking through the gardens and along the river I headed across one of the many bridges to the South Bank.

There are public pools and man-made beaches along the South Bank that overlook the North Quay of Brisbane - so there is no need to go outside of the city for a day of soaking up rays at the beach!

Don't be surprised to find fruit, veggies and herbs growing all over the city. When walking about I found everything from pineapples to basil.

My stay in Brisbane was especially lovely due to the fact my friend Peter was there for a work trip. Not only did I get to spend time with him and see a friendly face, but I mooched and stayed in his suite - look at that view from the room! We enjoyed cocktails and watched the sunset while catching up :)

Day 2

Brisbane is home to the largest koala sanctuary in the world, Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. There are over 130 koalas living there - and the best part is that you get the chance to cuddle with one!

But the koalas don't get all of the attention. You can walk about the Kangaroo Reserve and get up-close with the wallabies, kangaroos and emus. If you purchase food at the nearby general store you can feed them too!