Return to Oz

Well to say the least it feels amazing to be back in Sydney, truly my second home. From the moment that I stepped off of the plane it was pure bliss. Although it has been nearly two years since I left Sydney, it truly felt like it was just yesterday when I departed from my six month study abroad experience. It took a few days to get back to normal, but as soon as I bought my surfboard (referred to as my baby boy), I found myself back to my daily routine at Bondi Beach. My absolute favorite day ever is quite simple: wake up at 6:30, eat some brekkie (as they call it in Australia), take a walk along the stunning coastal beach path, then surf until I have no energy left.  Afterwards, I am content to just relax at the beach with a book or roam around the city. Although I haven't managed to do this every single morning, it is what I aim for!

Seeing a typical Bondi Beach sunset will quickly make you realize how easy it is to be a beach bum

Apart from my beach routine, I have just been enjoying re-familiarizing myself with the city. It only took a few days to master the bus and train system again and I managed to see most classic Sydney sites within the first week. Recently, I have really been enjoying time with my Australian family and taking advantage of everything the city has to offer. What I love about Sydney is that if you are a beach person, like myself, you can still access the heart of the city with a 10-15 minute drive. Since I visited nearly every place I wanted to see last time I was here, it is nice to have this time to feel like a Sydney local.

Returning on the ferry after a lovely day at Manly Beach

The Opera House at sunset

Additionally, I managed to take a quick break from the city by going on a surf trip up north with a company called Mojo Surf.  We went to a mellow, private beach location about four hours from Sydney and stayed at their surfside accommodation.  It was definitely a nice change of pace to have an uncrowded, peaceful beach with plenty of waves for everyone!

The wonderfully vibrant mojo bus

Nice, empty beach!

Well, lets hope that now I can get used to doing blog updates more frequently. I am aiming for updates at least twice a month.  Next up: diving in the great barrier reef

Lots of love to all! Stay well

Am I really leaving?

So the time has come.  The time where I begin freaking out and realize that I am not just making up some whimsical journey around the world from my imagination.  Preparing for my nine month trip has taken more time than I could ever imagine.  From choosing a custom base route through STA Travel to planning out destinations in between each stop, it is safe to say that I have been occupied with my itinerary for the past few months!  Luckily, since my sister will be traveling with me throughout Asia and East Africa, it has been nice having us both look into all of the possibilities for each destination.

Here's my route and some details of the big trip:

Denver--> Los Angeles--> Sydney-->Bangkok-->New Dehli-->Mumbai-->Nairobi-->Accra-->Cairo-->New York-->Denver 

* 7 weeks in Australia to chill by the beach and do some surfing while making time to get scuba certified and head up to the Great Barrier Reef for a liveaboard dive trip

* 8 weeks of beach and culture in southeast Asia (Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam).

* 4 weeks in India to explore its famous sites and all that it has to offer.

* 5 1/2 weeks in East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and Rwanda) for a massive serving of adventure

*6-7 weeks in Ghana to live with a local host family and volunteer at an school and explore West Africa

*4 weeks in Egypt to explore this fascinating ancient culture and indulge in some beachside locations