AUS16- Going against TLC's advice

A few of us had a free day on Thursday of this week. A spontaneous road trip ensued!

Off to Minnamurra!

Not so I-10, eh?

The destination was 2 hours away which meant that we needed a car...and a driver. I volunteered as tribute. This was one of those times when you realize the culture differences. All the others are European (Norway, Netherlands, and England) wherein driving isn't as central as public transportation. The fact that I had been driving since 16 and we all have our own cars back home made me seem like an absolute professional. The one kicker was that I had to forget the basic rule of "the right side is the 'right' side to be on" because (in Aus) staying on the right side will turn you into mashed taters and put you $4,000 in debt to the rental company.

I jogged to the rental company because I'm still on the mindset that I'd rather not try to figure out the bus system. I have no sense of direction. This should not come as a surprise to any of you. I basically signed my life away to this car for the next 24 hours which felt like I was buying a house in my anxiety-ridden mind. All I can say is thank Jesus Ri had a GPS to direct my driving. I was thrown straight into the fire.

Here is your car.

Now get in the passenger seat, where there is a steering wheel, and drive into the heart of Sydney. Oh and you have three other lives to keep safe. Nbd.

I was able to pick everyone up (chauffeur services, y'all) and got out of the main city without busting a blood vessel. Success. The scenery all around was beautiful, although I was terrified to look away from the road for even a moment. Luckily, the photo-picasso-Rianne took some great snapshots. Half of the pictures I will post in here most likely came from her camera. Props to her.

Just one example of how Aussie english

isn't quite American english

I drove this little baby all the way to Minnamurra

It is a bit crazy to think that we were only 2 hours away from the inner city and immersed inside of a rainforest. We began hiking on a trail that leads to a magnificent waterfall. I don't think I had ever seen a waterfall in my life. Mom, fact check me on this one.

The hike started out so simple I was kind of disappointed. I was looking forward to a terrain challenging hike amidst the trees and here I was on a man-made foot path. Nature definitely made me eat my words soon enough! The path suddenly turned into what felt like an 85 degree incline with no end in sight. My thighs were screaming for refuge. We stopped halfway for a water break because it was that awful.

where is the ski lift??

Ems had a great giggle at the irony of how I asked for challenge and then cursed its presence (all within half an hour). Let me just note that you could tell Kristine was from Norway- the lady from the mountain land who pranced up inclines like she was held up by a harness.

Spot the reptile!

Likely my favorite picture from the trip!

We finally reached the waterfall. It was awe-inspiring. I kept saying how it looked like a screensaver. I just never expected to see something so beautiful in person. Ahhhh take me back!

Speechless

Minnamurra Falls

There was a group of school children already there. I felt like a super-weenie when I realized that those 9 year olds came up the same route we did. Time to up the gym time!

We ate our packed lunches in view of the waterfall and it was lovely. We later came across some old man who decided to strike up a conversation and boy are we glad he did! He showed us a few great locations nearby that we should visit ( Belmont and Fitzroy). Belmont was first on our list! This place was rather secluded, a gravel one-way path that almost made us feel like we could be the new stars on some secret horror film. However, the somewhat scary path had a great reward at the end. I am absolutely positive that this was the most gorgeous thing I have even seen. Out of 22 years of life, this topped it all. The pictures really don't do it justice. At all. Not one bit. Nadda.

You basically had to pull us away from here to get back into the car. Luckily, Ri had lollies and that was just enough motivation. Off to fitzroy falls!

My first proper english scone

We stopped at the cafe for a coffee and Kristine offered me one of her scones! I had never had, what Ems would call, a proper scone and this was my chance! Hint: the scones at starbucks are not the right thing. I have had so many "firsts" this week, lawd. It seemed very similar to what we would call a Grands biscuit back home, but it "so isn't a biscuit". hahaha. If you can't tell, the scone on the bottom was prepared by me and one above was prepared by Em. That is jam and cream on top! I'm still new to the scone world, presentation points should be waived.

coffee plus waterfall = happy girls

Exciting news! Who is ready?! Okay. I saw my FIRST EVER WOMBAT. It was not how I imagined, as it was belly up on the side of the road **tear rolls down cheek. Those guys are so much bigger than I imagined! Goodness gracious. I also saw my FIRST EVER WALLABY. This little guy was also on the side of the road...but alive! woop woop fritattensoupe! It is so strange that I am looking for wallabies and wombats on the edge of the highway rather than deer in the headlights.

On the ride home we stopped at Maccas (McDonalds) because, according to Ri, that is what makes a road trip into a great road trip. I still can't make myself eat there so I just happily ate a fruit bar in secret. I won't bore you with the trip details of how I got this car back to Hertz, but I will say that it included a 7am wake up, time constraints, cold weather, rain, learning how to pump gas here, incorrect directions, my phone dying, being an hour late, and almost crying in front of the Hertz man before he let me slide. This took me to about 9:30 am when I finally got off the bus to go home. I got off one stop early and walked to my favorite gelato shop. I was surprised that they were open but I think God knew I needed the pick me up. The stares that I received on my walk home were plentiful. I am an adult. I can have gelato for breakfast if i want to. What if it was my birthday? BAM. TAKE THAT.

9/7/15

#AustraliaTrip