Girraween National Park/Byron Bay

It has been a while since I had the chance to sit down and blog, and man has a lot happened!  Each day has been a whole new adventure and experience.  Where to start? Well how about the fact that I am currently on the GREAT BARRIER REEF!!  This is the moment I have been waiting for!

Before I get to that, I must begin with my week at Girraween National Park with my terrestrial ecology class.  Can you say rocks, rocks, and more rocks?  Girraween had fantastic granite boulders that we were able to climb the entire week.  For class, we explored the dry, arid climate of Australia by analyzing the trees and wildflowers.  There were wild kangaroos around every corner!  They even visited our campsite a few times.  We slept in old fashion tents that I grew up camping in as a child-  I felt like a small kid again! The weather varied from super HOT to extremely COLD during the night, and I often slept in four layers and my mittens.  Despite the cold (being the heavy sleeper that I am) I managed to sleep just fine.  So fine, in fact, that one night during a terrifying wind storm that nearly blew over our tent, I slept through it all.  For those who know me well, are you surprised? My favorite moment of the whole trip was walking up a rock called the “Pyramid” that had a nearly vertical incline, and extremely gorgeous 360 degree views of the surrounding area.  It was like being on top of the world!

During this past week I finally went rock climbing at Kangaroo Point in Brisbane.  The Mountain Climbing Club at Uni generously allows you to go climbing for free your first time.  It was so cool!  The rocks are lit up for night time climbing, and there were tons of people just hanging out (pun intended) and rock climbing.  When you reached the top of the rocks, you turned behind you to see a beautiful view of the Brisbane River and the city all lit up at night.  It was really challenging, but so much fun.  I wish that I had gone earlier in the term!!  After the rock climbing I finally went on the Brisbane Ferris Wheel.  What a great night!

On the weekend, a group of us went down the coast to Byron Bay.  While I was at Byron Bay, I went scuba diving at Julian rocks. It was the coolest experience ever!!! I saw so many fish, gorgeous corals, and even a sea turtle! The sea turtle was hovering right above my face, almost as if he was looking straight at me. We swam through coral reefs so high that you felt like you were at the bottom of the Grand Canyon. We went through one cave that was loaded with fish hiding and swimming about. It was such an unreal experience that it almost felt like a dream. I have a great video of the dive coming shortly!  I also went on a hike to the Byron Bay lighthouse.  Along the hike, I traversed along the rocks looking at incredible views of the coastline. The hike overlooks all of Byron Bay and reaches the most easterly point of Australia’s mainland- pretty neat!

I am currently having the time of my life at Heron Island.  Each day is filled with snorkeling, beach, sun, and sand.  Would you believe that my research assignment is studying fish in the Great Barrier Reef?  Unreal!!

Girraween National Park

On Top of the Pyramid

Looking at the Pyramid

Wildflowers

Postcard picture of Girraween. Classic balancing boulders

Rock Climbing!

My favorite tree in Australia.  It is very common.

Byron Bay

  

Sunrise from Mt. Coot-tha overlooking Brisbane

Sneak Peak at Heron Island

Blacktip Shark!

Paradise

 

Fraser Island

The weekend was spent the best way possible: at Fraser Island.  It is the world’s largest sand island, and you can only drive on the island with a four-wheel drive vehicle- no roads, no stop signs, and no traffic.  A group of us took a three day Sunset Safari tour in a giant, orange truck named “Shrek” because it is BIG and UGLY.  It was so awesome!  As we drove along the 75-mile beach, we were right along the ocean, so we sat back and watched the waves crash.  It was also an extremely bumpy ride, so if you did not have your seat belt on you almost hit the roof!  The island geology and ecology is extremely unique.  Although it is completely comprised of sand, there is a base layer of organic material that sustains a rainforest, as well as freshwater lakes.  At some points, we were standing on giant sand dunes, looking at freshwater lakes and a rainforest.  How crazy!  We toured through many sand blows, which are massive areas of sand that have overtaken the trees.  It was like standing in the middle of a desert.  There are a few rocks on the island, one called Indian Head, which we hiked to the top of and overlooked the island.  At the top, we saw baby humpback whales playing in the water right in front of us- so close that we could see the whites of their bellies as they flipped in the water!   My absolute favorite part was running and jumping down the sand dunes and plunging into the freshwater at Wabby Lake.  The sand is so fine, that when you are in the water it actually polishes your jewelry and exfoliates your skin.  It was one of the most beautiful places I have ever been to. It felt like we were on vacation!  I uploaded a video of the week – my favorite video so far!

This week will be spent in Girraween National Park for a week of hiking and more trees.  We will sleeping in tents, and won’t have any electricity. See you in a week!

“Shrek”

The Crew

Eli Creek

Maheno Shipwreck – wrecked in 1935

 

Indian Head

Lake Wabby – sand dunes, freshwater lake, rainforest all in one!

Jumping into Lake Wabby

Champagne Pools

Pinnacle Coloured Sands

Wait… I am halfway done?

Well the hectic midterm week finally came to an end, and as much as it was a relief, I am sad that time is flying.  I only have four weeks left in Brisbane before I head off to New Zealand.  I cannot even believe that it is October already!

I celebrated the tedious midterm week with an awesome three day weekend. To start it off right, I went to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary and I cuddled with a koala! Hands down the best experience ever! His name was Skooter, and he was ADORABLE.  I also pet and feed kangaroos, and saw baby joeys in their mother’s pouch!  A few other animals that I saw were dingos, a platypus, a cassowary bird (which is a giant big bird), tasmanian devils, a wombat, and lots of birds.  It was quite the Australian experience! Here is a video from the Sanctuary.

Saturday night was the Brisbane Riverfire fireworks display over the Brisbane River.  A group of us went into the city and enjoyed the view of the fireworks and music. They were awesome!  There were over half a million people in attendance!

I came to Australia with one goal in mind: to meet a Greek-Australian. On Sunday, that goal was accomplished. I figured the best way to meet greeks would be at the greek church- so that is where I went!  The church was beautiful, the entire walls and celling were covered in painting of icons. There was a National Greek Youth Conference in town, so I got to talk to kids my own age.  After church they invited me for ice cream and a walk in the city. No matter where you go in the world, greeks are greeks and you will always be treated as family.

I have another test and paper due this week, but then I will spend a four day weekend on Fraser Island, which is the largest sand island in the southern hemisphere.  I have been told that it is truly a breath taking, exotic island with large freshwater lakes in the center and rainbow sand beaches.  I am so looking forward to it!

Best Moment EVER!

A Dingo

Tasmanian Devil

A Wombat

Sleepy Koala

 

Brisbane at Night

Greek Orthodox Community of St. George, Brisbane

The incredible ceiling

Lamington National Park

During my trip to Lamington National Park, I went hiking every day for about 7 miles. It was definitely very grueling, but the views of the landscape took away the aches and pain in a moment. Every view was breathtaking.  Along the way, my professor, John Hall, talked about the nature of the rainforest and how the each tree has its own story to tell.  He showed us a tree species that has been growing since the age of the dinosaurs.  John had us imagine a giant dinosaur walking underneath the same exact tree – a truly spectacular image!  We saw many waterfalls on our hikes – something my dad has taught me to love.  The waterfall that I saw was the tallest waterfall that I have ever seen- and that is saying a lot! I have grown up waterfall hiking with my Dad, so we have seen many across the world!  No matter how many you see, they are all gorgeous.  It is like seeing them for the first time. On the first day that we got there the rain poured all day, which made for a beautiful walk through the wet landscape.  The mist through the trees was truly a sight to see.  I am happy that it cleared up for the rest of the week, though.  One of my favorite moments during the trip was a required assignment to wake up before dawn, hike to a clearing, and listen to the cacophony of bird calls while the sun rose over the valley.  We just sat there for an hour recording the number of times we heard a specific bird call, it was truly amazing.  It was one of those moments that I will never forget.  In terms of geology (you know I can’t resist to talk about it), Lamington National Park is the remains of an old volcano that laid down rich volcanic soil, which has enabled this rainforest to grow, providing a home for countless of species.  I love when everything comes together!

Here is the video that I made about the week.  Pictures are below!

Another wild koala bear!

Lower Ballanjui Falls

Upper Ballanjui Falls

 

Listening for bird calls!

Surprise Rock

This structure is not a pile of sticks or trash. It was purposefully built by a Satin Bowerbird.  The Bowerbird builds this structure and decorates it with blue objects to attract and impress females – I guess there is more to men than just looks!

My home for the week!

“The Spirit of Endurance”

“This giant gum tree stands in solitary grandeur on a lonely plateau in the arid Flinders Ranges, South Australia, where it has grown up from a sapling through the years, and long before the shade from its giant limbs ever gave shelter from heat to white men. The passing of the years has left it scarred and marked by the elements – storm, fire, water, – unconquered, it speaks to us from a Spirit of Endurance. Although aged, its widespread limbs speak of a vitality that will carry on for many more years. One day, when the sun shone hot and strong, I stood before this giant in silent wonder and admiration. The hot wind stirred its leafy boughs, and some of the living elements of this tree passed to me in understanding and friendliness expressing The Spirit of Australia.” Written and photographed by: Harold Cazneaux in 1941

I really liked this photograph and story, so I thought that I would share it.  Here is a sneak peak to my week at Lamington National Park.  Blog and photos coming after my tests!

 

St. Helena Island/Surfers Paradise

Along with my science classes, I am also taking an Australian Culture class, which happens to be my first humanities course in my college career. We took a field trip to St. Helena island, which used to be a prison in the 1800s. Despite the tropical, exotic beauty, the British initially colonized Australia as a penal colony; Australia’s sole purpose was to imprison convicts. (Convicts were also sent to America up until the American Revolution.) Thus, St. Helena Island brought valuable insight to the foundation of modern Australia. Many of the brick buildings still remain today.  We toured through the ruins, and imagined what it must have been like hundreds of years ago. The prison only held men, most for murderous crimes, but some for petty crimes. Some people were sent to Australia for merely stealing loaves of bread (a bit harsh if you ask me).  Pictures are below!

The rest of the weekend was spent in Surfers Paradise in the Gold Coast.  The houses reminded me of Florida, with tile roofs, light colored siding, and docks on the water.

*PAUSE! Right at this moment, I noticed a HUGE SPIDER walking across my room. Quite literally the largest spider I have EVER seen. It took an hour for Maddie and I to find, and kill it. After a google search, we think it was a wolf spider… a potentially poisonous creature. Thankfully no one was harmed, well expect the spider.*

Back to what I was saying, I did get to surf at a beach called Burleigh Heads.  The waves were crashing too close to shore, so instead of surfing I just rolled along and floated in the water.  I enjoyed it!  I was told by my homestay family that I must get fish-and-chips takeaway, and enjoy it on the beach. Needless to say- I did! It was the highlight of my weekend.

This week I am off to Lamington National Park with the terrestrial ecology class for five days of hiking, trees, and waterfalls! Yay!

St. Helena Island

Imagine this room: 4 cells, a hallway, small windows, a bucket for water, a bucket for toilettes, no showers (ever), hammocks for beds, and 12 men in each cell… a total of 48 men in this one room.

Before:

Today:

A wild wallabie!

South Bank, Brisbane:

The Wheel of Brisbane

Burleigh Beach, Gold Coast

Doesn’t get any better than this!

First week at the Uni

The first week at the Uni is under my belt, and it feels great. I have worked out the bus route, daily routine, and each professor’s teaching style. The campus is much larger than Union’s campus, so it was a bit daunting at first. This week, the whole nation was heated with political debate.  On Saturday, it was both student political elections, as well as the Australian political party election. The whole week was filled with students promoting their school political party campaign, and winning your vote by selling 50 cent sausages. In Australia, they have the Labor and the Liberal parties. In this election, the incumbent Labor Party lost to the Liberal, and Tony Abbott is now the Prime Minister. Interestingly, Australia has compulsory voting, so everyone must vote otherwise they receive a fine. Also the citizens cannot vote for the prime minister directly. They must vote for the party and the party then appoints the prime minister.

On the weekend I took a trip to the Gold Coast, which is about two hours south of Brisbane, and stayed at my first hostel.  It had a view of the ocean, a pool, and an outdoor bar! I really enjoyed the beach and the spectacular coastal views. A few of my friends braved the fierce current and took a surfing lesson. They had a blast! I spent Sunday kayaking in a Gold Coast river with my host family. My host Dad, Mario, is an avid paddler.  It reminded me a lot of the water ways in Florida; beautiful, clear, blue water, tropical vegetation with birds flying all around. We then enjoyed a picnic on the river.  This weekend I am planning to surf at Surfers Paradise (only reasonable) despite my fear of sharks. Hopefully my short surfing career taught by my Uncle Kane  will get me through!

Best of luck to all my Union friends on a great term!

From Schenectady:

To Brisbane:

Gold Coast:

Border of Queensland and New South Wales

Kayaking!

Settled in Brisbane

After a long, but fun week I am back on the mainland and settled in my homestay family.  They are a very lovely Australian couple named Sue and Mario, and they have graciously welcomed Maddie and I into their home.  This weekend we enjoyed a trip to a local school fair (or “fete” as Australians say) and  the mall.  We took a hike up the nearby mountain that overlooks Brisbane City, and enjoyed an ice cream cone courtesy of my homestay dad.  Maddie and I decided that we are going to attempt to bike to school, and went on a trial bike ride this afternoon.  Let’s just say we are not on flat Long Island anymore; the hills may put an end to that idea.

Before leaving Straddie, we went on a Gorge hike along the coast, and saw amazing views of whales, manta ray, and dolphins.  We then went swimming in the beautiful, clear ocean at Cylinder beach and played beach cricket.  Along the hike I saw my first kangaroo!!! I truly believe that I am in Australia now.

First day of class at the University (or the “Uni”) tomorrow!  Hopefully we won’t get lost in the Australian public bus system.  I figured it cannot be any worse than NYC subways.  If I can do that, I can do anything.

Gorge Walk, North Straddie

My first kangaroo!

Cylinder Beach, North Straddie

View from the top of Mount Coot-tha, overlooking Brisbane

Sunset from my backyard

Day 2 and 3 of Adventure

I had to take a moment and think to myself, oh right I have only been here for three days! It honestly feels like I have been here for a very long time.  Both days have been filled with lectures, exploration, fun and food… lots of food.  Australians enjoy at 10:30 tea time, which turns out to be my favorite time of the day, as well as a late night snack of hot chocolate and biscuits.   During tea time, we are always pleasantly surprised with a delicious treat.  Today we had pumpkin scones, which were fluffy, moist, and topped with handmade whipped cream!  I highly recommend it. Beyond the food, we spent a majority of the day searching the mudflat looking for critters.  We saw crabs, starfish, sea slugs, worms, oysters, sponges, and many more organisms. We were all hoping to find a blue ringed octopus, which is about 5 to 8 inches and contains enough toxin to paralyze you (and possibly kill you), but they were no where to be found. Yesterday we searched for organisms on the beach.  The beach reminded me of Long Island beaches with pure white sand and high surf.  There were also humpback whales breaching and flapping their tails in the water, unlike Long Island. I would love to sit on the beach and watch whales all day!  On Friday, we will be whale watching from a high cliff… I have heard that the views are amazing!

 

Here we are dragging a dead fish along the surface of the sand in hopes that it will provoke at giant beach worm to come out of the ground, but we had no such luck.  This is an idea of what we were looking for… gross!

North Stradbroke Island or “Straddie”

After 30 hours of traveling, I am finally in Australia! We are currently on North Stradbroke Island staying at a research facility. The sights are more than I could have ever imagined. After an exhausting few days, we all were asleep by 8 pm, and consequentially awake by 4 am listening to the cacophony of bird calls.  This morning went bird watching/koala bear searching. After my professor smelled the familiar koala scent, we actually found one in the wild!  It was awesome! Today we will be exploring the sandy beach coastline looking for marine organisms. We will then spend a portion of the day sitting on rocks while looking at whales- I couldn’t ask for more!!

Here are a few pictures from this morning!

The Moreton Bay Research Station

This is a bird called a Galah. Galah is also Australian slang for “fool.”

Morning sun through an old cemetery.

This beautiful, and very common bird is called a Lorikeet. I wish that they were common in New York!

A wild koala bear!!!

A map of my location: