Algeria Paradise

Ohh Cancun, Mexico…where to even begin?? I was fortunate enough to spend my final spring break of college in this crazy destination with 3 of my best girls, or the Fearsome Foursome as we call ourselves.  We went for 4 days and 5 nights and this was plenty of time to soak up some sun and experience the non-stop party that Cancun truly is.  This trip proved to be icing on the cake to my crazy college experience, which I feel wouldn’t have been complete without an insane Mexico spring break adventure.

The Fearsome Foursome enjoying our gorgeous beach!

Accommodation

The girls and I stayed at the Park Royal, which was pretty nice and we got upgraded to the 2 bedroom suite with a balcony and hot tub at check in, so we couldn’t complain! Yet another example of Ballin’ on a Budget in my travels!  The best decision I made for the group was to book a hotel that was all-inclusive.  This means all your food, drinks and room amenities were included in the price of the package.  Of course the food wasn’t great and a buffet isn’t exactly my idea of “fine dining” but when you’re on spring break your main concern is getting some food in your stomach to soak up all that alcohol.  Also the booze isn’t exactly top shelf, but once again it’s spring break and everyone has the same goal in common, whether you’re sipping Grey Goose or vodka out of a plastic bottle.

Lexy and I enjoying some day drinking @ The Park Royal!

Pre drinking in the hotel lobby with the girls!

Location Location Location

Location is very important aspect of your trip and varies depending on what your priorities are while in Cancun.  Our priority was a nice hotel on a nice beach and we hit the jackpot.  Make sure to read reviews about the hotels and beaches since there was a bad hurricane a few years ago many were destroyed and in poor condition. We were about 15 minutes by car from downtown, or a cheap taxi ride, which is where all the clubs are located.  We spent our days nursing our hangovers on the beach and not spending a dime while taking full advantage of the all-inclusive aspect at the bar and restaurants.  Some people want to be in the middle of the party 24/7 and for that I would recommend the Oasis Cancun.

Not too shabby of a view from our balcony!

Party Party

Obviously most people head to spring break for the insane clubs and ridiculous parties they throw.  There really is nothing like spring break in Cancun, trust me.  We were lucky enough to have promoters come to our hotel, which I’m sure most do, and let us in on some deals for the party scene in Cancun.  For about $20-40 each we were transported to the given club and received free entry and bottles at table for the group from our hotel.  This was amazing because it was much cheaper and we had a great group of crazy randoms at our hotel to hit the clubs with.  Also having a table at these clubs is great because they are so packed, it’s hard to really enjoy yourself.  Some of my favorites were The City, Daddy O’s, The Bulldog, Daddy Rock, and the world famous Coco Bongo.  All these clubs are located within walking distance in the downtown area along with tons of other bars and clubs.  Also check out the concert schedules in Cancun before planning your nights because they tend to have a lot of big performers such as Tiesto, Akon, etc., this time of year.  One more tip: the clubs get SO hot inside, so dress accordingly and prepare to get a lil sweaty while dancing your booty off!

One of my favorite clubs The City – Yes it was like 4 stories!

Hope this was helpful to either persuade you to hit up Cancun for Spring Break this year or help you plan your trip.  Please respond with any questions or your favorite Spring Break destination! Don’t forget to be safe down in Cancun, it is still MEXICO!   Also check out my Flickr account for a lot more pics of Spring Break fun!!

Las Vegas never fails to amaze me.  From the wide range of “characters” you are bound to meet to the countless ways to get yourself in trouble, there is never an uneventful trip to Sin City.  I just got back from a wild weekend of celebrating my 24th Birthday in Vegas with 5 of my best girls and had one of my best trips to date!  Vegas is one of my favorite cities, I’ve been about 10 times since I turned 21 and not one trip has been the same.  Las Vegas really is the “City of Sin” regardless of what your vice is:  gambling, partying, shopping, sex, getting pampered, people watching, eating, sightseeing, or seeing outrageous shows.   Vegas is quite an expensive city, especially during season, so be prepared to drop a pretty penny.  That is unless you are an attractive young lady who knows the ropes…

Natalie, Paige, Emily, Me, Lexy & Christine Ready for Night 1 to celebrate my 24th!

Where To Stay & When to Go

To simplify your trip I would recommend to stay on or close to the main strip.  Unless you’re a serious “baller” I suggest to stay in a decent hotel that’s in a good location but doesn’t blow your budget.  Time spent in the room is minimal apart from getting ready and sleeping.  Also I would not advise your “vacation” in Las Vegas to be more than 2 or 3 nights.  Trust me, I once stayed 4 nights and thought I was going to DIE!

There is always a party going on in Vegas but some weekends are more crazy and expensive than others.  Holiday weekends such as Memorial Day and Labor Day along with events such as boxing matches, definitely affect the price of the trip.  Hotels are much more expensive and entry into clubs is much more difficult and expensive.  To truly experience Vegas you should go during pool season, anytime from March to Septemberish.  Summer is hotter than hell in the desert, so if you can’t handle the heat hit up the strip in spring or fall.

Vegas By Day

During the day in Vegas your main concern is to nurse that hangover and get out there to drink again.  If you’re there during pool season you definitely have to hit up one of the many pool scenes that Sin City has to offer.  The most outrageous and famous day party is  Rehab at the Hard Rock Hotel.  Another one of my favorites is Bare at the Mirage where this is an option to be topless, but beware of those creepers with cameras.  If a ridiculous pool day is not in the cards there is great shopping at The Forum Shops in Caesars Palace and also at Miracle Mile in Planet Hollywood.  And if all else fails during the day go day drinking and meet some characters or sleep so you’re ready to party again at night.

Lexy and I enjoying some day drinking at Bare @ The Mirage!

Vegas By Night

To prepare for your night of debauchery I would encourage you to eat a good meal at one of the hundreds of restaurants in Vegas.  After dinner it’s time to party til dawn.  Most of the clubs have a strict dress code for guys including shoes and ladies you must dress to impress.  There are tons of amazing clubs with different decor, music, and crowds.  This past trip I was blown away by the size and beauty of XS, which is the newest club in Vegas in The Encore.  Tryst which is in the Wynn is also gorgeous.  Body English at the Hard Rock is a lot of fun especially on Sunday nights.  Pure at Caesar’s Palace has multiple rooms with different types of music and a great patio upstairs.  Tao at The Veneitan is a must see and is definitely one of my favorites.  There are tons others including Jet at The Mirage, The Bank at Bellagio, and Mix at the top of The Hotel at Mandalay Bay, which has a gorgeous view of the strip.

Corinne, Kylie, me, and Emily on the famous "Rotating Bed" in the Playboy Suite for NYE 2007

Tips for Ballin’ on a Budget in Vegas

As I said Vegas can be a very expensive city if you don’t know the right people or you’re a guy.  Sorry guys but if you want to have a great time in Vegas you’re going to have to drop some serious money to get in clubs, if you want table service and bottles, and also buying drinks for all those hotties you will meet.  Ladies on the other hand can milk the fact that most men in Vegas strive to be seen with gorgeous women.  So girls try and get your name on lists so you don’t have to pay cover or wait in line, schmooze with all the ballers with tables, and go with a cute group of girls.  Ladies I can’t stress enough that Vegas isn’t the place to have that boyfriend or a guy friend tagging along, they are pretty much dead weight and can spoil a lot of your fun.  Other things I have learned over the years is to stock your room with waters, snacks, and some booze to pre drink and save yourself some money.  One more tip, which we learned the hard way this past trip, is you can’t buy hard alcohol on the strip except for in the ABC Store in the Miracle Mile shops!

Photo Opt Outside the Venetian

Wow this is really only the tip of the iceberg and I obviously have a lot to say about Las Vegas, so please feel free to respond with any questions! Also check out my pics on Flickr to see some of my most ridiculous moments from spending New Years at the Playboy Towers with Kanye West to some of the most outrageous nights of my life!

After experiencing Lisbon I believe that Portugal is one of the most underrated countries in Europe.  I spent a few nights in Lisbon two summers ago with my friend Lexy and we were impressed by both the beautiful city and history as well as the amazing nightlife.  We had no idea what to expect or even see, but thankfully our good friend Marc led us in the right direction and we had an unforgettable time.  Lisbon is actually one of the best values in all of Europe, the cheapest capital in Western Europe, and we definitely did not blow our budget.  It also reminds me a lot of San Francisco due to the the hills and the 26 de Abril Bridge, but I have to say the Portuguese culture makes Lisbon much more desirable.  The locals are super friendly and helpful, but we didn’t come across many that spoke fluent English after all!  Just be polite and throw in “Obrigado” and they will take good care of you!

A typical steep street in Lisbon

Where to Stay

When we landed in Lisbon we had no hotel and were shocked by how different the Portuguese language really is.  We were lucky enough to come across a nice guy at the information desk in the airport who set us up with a great hotel.  The airport is quite close to town so we took a inexpensive taxi to our hotel, which was in the heart of the old city.  We ended up staying in the Rossio Square at the Hotel Metropole and couldn’t have been in a better location.  It was night when we arrived and as we checked out our view we were happy to see a gorgeous square and a huge castle off in the distance.  This location is great because it is walking distance to all the public transportation and close to many of the must see sights.

The view from our room of Rossio Square and the Castle of Sáo Jorge in the background

Getting Around

One of my favorite things about Lisbon was how easy it was to get around.  The city is very walkable but it is built on 7 legendary hills so be prepared to climb some steep streets.  For sites that aren’t quite walking distance they have a great public transportation system.  Their metro is the cleanest one I have ever experienced, and a 24 hour pass can be purchased for about €5.  Also their bus and tram system was very helpful when going to visit the Castelo de Sáo Jorge, which is on top of a huge hill.

Trying to navigate my way while in a typical square in Lisbon

What to Do

Lisbon is a large city and has a lot of sites to appease all types of travelers.  The Castle of Sáo Jorge is located on top of the highest hill in Lisbon and is a must see due to the gorgeous views and history dating back to the medieval times.  Also make sure to take the tram across the 25 de Abril Bridge to the historical neighborhood of Bélem.  While here tour the Bélem Tower, Jeronimos Monastery, and eat custard tarts at Pastéis de Bélem.  If you’re in Lisbon in the summer try and make it to the beach in Carcavelos, which is famous for it’s surfing and production of wine.  Also be sure to enjoy some of the famous local Portuguese cuisine and wine at one of the many charming restaurants in the cities numerous squares or down by the water.

The view from the Castle of Sáo Jorge

Lisbon By Night

Lisbon has a wide range of nightlife options and is beginning to get a reputation as one of the best clubbing cities in Europe.  To experience an authentic Lisbon night with the locals head to the Bairro Alto quarter, which is an old neighborhood of winding streets filled with tons of small bars and restaurants.  There is a great live music scene in this area and you are able to have alcohol in the streets, so grab a beer and check it out.  Alcântara Docks, which is also known as Docas, is a great area by the water that has numerous restaurants and bars/clubs for many different types of crowds.  Lexy and I spent most of our nights out in the Docas area and had so much fun and met a great variety of people.  There are so many options in such a small area  you are bound to find a place you’ll enjoy regarding the music, crowd, and atmosphere.  Some of our favorite clubs in this area were Buddah Bar, Lux, and Dock’s, but check this list for more favorites.

Lexy and I enjoying ourselves at Buddah Bar

The Docas Bar area at night

I hope that you all found this blog useful and I ignited a little spark inside of you to check out Lisbon.  I can’t wait to head back to Portugal and explore more of what this amazing country has to offer.  Check out more pics on my Flickr account and please contact me with any questions, comments, or tips you may have about Lisbon, Portugal! Save Travels

As I get ready for my big move to Australia I am stunned by the abundance of things I “have to bring”, especially all my electronics I can’t live without.  I have multiple cameras, a camcorder, iPods, phones, my laptop…and the list goes on.  And we all know that with each of these devices you have at least a separate charger and cords for importing.  I am so thankful that I have been introduced to the genius company that is iGo.  iGo specializes in making universal and eco-friendly chargers for laptops, MP3 players, phones, and digital cameras to name a few.  All you need to charge all your gadgets while away, or at home, is one of their chargers and the necessary tips for your devices.  This simplifies my packing so much without having to bring the necessary 15+ accessories to keep all my electronics charged and ready for action.

The majority of my electronics and all their accessories before I invested in iGo!

My new favorite product from iGo is called Charge Anywhere.  It’s a small charging device that allows you to charge your electronics while plugged into the wall, but also has an internal Lithium-ion battery that charges at the same time.  This means that you can be in a car, on a plane, or anywhere without an outlet and are able to charge your electronics without a worry.  I just got back from LA and used my Charge Anywhere on the plane while my iPhone was low on battery so I could continue my aggressive game of Uno on my phone.  Another great feature the Charge Anywhere has is the ability to charge 2 items at once, or if you have a splitter, you can charge three.  I’m excited Charge Anywhere is dual voltage and I will only have to put on an adapter, which iGo also makes, while in Australia and I can safely charge all my favorite gadgets on the wall and while I’m out and about sightseeing.  Priced at only $49.99 this item is a must for you fellow travelers or someone who is always on the go.

iGo Charge Anywhere

Another amazing product by iGo, which is ideal for travel, is their International Travel Adapter.  This small white cube contains all you need to be able to use your dual voltage electronics while abroad and covers over 150 countries.  It is compatible with both 2 or 3 prong devices, which can sometimes be an issue.  It also has a USB port to charge any of your gadgets that have USB capability such as an iPod or my new Flip Video Camera.  Also not only is it handy and small, it’s extremely affordable and is only $24.99.  Most adapters with these features start at $35 and aren’t nearly as compact and easy to use.  I can’t wait to use mine in Australia and wherever else I may end up in the world.

iGo International Travel Adapter

iGo also has tons more products that are very compact and useful for use while traveling or at home.  The 39-in-1 Multi-Card Reader enables you to transfer files to or from your computer without the need of cords or adapters.  This product is a lifesaver when trying to get photos from friends or if you happened to have lost your camera cord.  Another product that is great if you’re on the move is the powerXtender Charger which operates on 2 AA batteries and is ideal for the moments when you have no power and need a quick charge on your phone or other device.

iGo Multi-Card Reader

I’m so happy to be able to simplify my packing in ONE aspect with my chargers and new products from iGo!  Now that I have one area of my life packed up, time to get back to packing up the rest of it.  All my fans definitely need to check out iGo to save some energy and space for charging all your precious electronics while on the road or at home.

This past week has been insane due to the holidays and unexpected visitors in town; I have literally been all over the place.   Christmas was spent with my immediate family, parents and brother, and was very laid back.  This was amazing for me considering how stressed out I had been about finally getting packed.  I originally had planned to have completely finished before Christmas, but of course that didn’t happen and there I was struggling to get my suitcases finally zipped up and ready to go at the last minute.  Also the fact that I could only pack 70 pounds to move across the world did not help.  Now that it’s done I’m actually glad I couldn’t bring more shit because I’m having issues navigating what I have with me now.

Christmas Eve dinner with my lovely family!

Goodbyes are always hard and it never helps when you’ve gotten two hours of sleep the night before and are an emotional wreck for numerous reasons.  The dogs were my first goodbye and of course I cried.  Giorgio, my tripod, shook in my arms as I kissed him goodbye; he knew I was leaving.  Valentino is always on “Cloud 9” and when he got his kisses goodbye he was not fazed and walked away wagging his little stump of a tail.  Next was my brother Ryan, which was quite the water works display.   Finally at the airport the hardest goodbye took place with the parents.  I obviously cried as I said bye to my Dad and lost it as I said bye to my Mom.  It was hard to say goodbye to them even though I know they will be visiting me Down Under within a few months.

My boy Giorgio acting as a great gift!

Valentino tanning with his puppy…what he does best!

So once the tearful goodbyes were over I proceeded through the grueling security line in Phoenix.  Of course I got searched and they messed up my strategically packed carry-ons.  The flight to Los Angeles was quite painless and the warmth of my Bailey’s and hot cocoa helped a lot as I thought about what was ahead of me in my life.  After re-claiming my bags at LAX and re-checking them in for my V Australia flight I proceeded through another horrible security line and went to my gate.  I made my last phone calls and boarded my plane with mixed emotions.  The idea that I was about to fly 14 hours to another country to live was a trip, but I knew that it would pave my future and would no doubt be the experience of a lifetime.

As enjoyable as a 14 hour flight can be, my flight from LAX to Melbourne was quite painless.  A window seat, super nice American girl next to me, (who was in my shoes a year before) and a great electronics set up helped.  We all had individual screens with dozens of movies, shows, games, and also the ability to charge your electronics through a USB port.  Needless to say I ate dinner, had a glass of Australian wine, and passed out.  Thank god for Ambien because I think I was unconscious for about 12 hours and the flight was a breeze.  I can also say that I really enjoyed V Australia’s service and the ambiance of their brand new planes.

My excess baggage in Melbourne…those carts saved my life and my back!

Once we landed in Melbourne it finally set in that I was in Australia and I couldn’t have been happier.  All went well through customs and I re-checked my bags one more time for my quick flight to Sydney.  Other than freezing my ass off on that flight and the lady next to me awkwardly breast-feeding her kid, I can’t complain.  Once in Sydney I met up with my friend Rhodri and we headed to Coogee Bay to get ready for New Years Eve.  Things went surprisingly smooth on this journey and I can only hope that my trip continues with a similar vibe. Everyone be in touch and please comment and respond to my blogs, I think this will be a great way to stay in touch! Happy 2010 to all of you…more blogs about my life Down Under to come soon!

Fireworks over the Sydney Bridge! Happy New Year!

The moment I finally arrived in Sydney I knew right away I had chosen the correct location for my upcoming adventures in the new year.  Once my friend Rhodri arrived we took a taxi to the his friend’s apartment in Coogee Bay, where I would be staying for the first week.  By 4 pm I was getting ready to head to a New Years Eve party at Rhodri’s friend Mick’s apartment in Kirribilli, which is just north of the Harbour Bridge.  He had a low-key house party and I drank and mingled with an entertaining group of friendly people, who were all astonished that I was still going strong after my long travel day.  We all headed to the rooftop at 9 and midnight to watch the World’s best fireworks display over the harbour.  I can honestly say I’ve never seen or experienced anything like it and it was an amazing way to bring in 2010 and welcome myself to Sydney.  Check out my video of some of the highlights of the fireworks!

Sydney Harbour filled with boats awaiting the fireworks to ring in the New Year

Since New Years I have been enjoying exploring my new city and getting used to the laid back lifestyle that is lived Down Under.  It seems crazy to think that I’ve only been here such a short time considering how comfortable I feel with my new surroundings.  This first week has been devoted to relaxing, doing some sightseeing, learning how to get around, and enjoying some quality beach time.  I have made my way to Manly Beach via the ferry out of Circular Quay, (pronounced Key) obviously taken dozens of photos of the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge, and have also made the trek to Darling Harbour.  When the sun has been shining, which has unfortunately been a rarity since I arrived, I’ve been tanning myself on Bondi Beach and Coogee Bay, which is minutes away from where I’m staying.

Gorgeous Coogee Bay

On the ferry ride into Sydney Harbour from Manly Beach

Overall the transition of moving on the other side of the world has been surprisingly quite painless and has gone rather smoothly.  I give partial credit to the connections I made before making the journey, which gave me a place to stay, and the fact they speak English also helps a great amount. I feel that Sydney is a nice balance of The United States and Europe.  It’s hard to explain but it still possess some of the character and Old World feel and charm that Europe has to offer, like England of course, but it contains just the right amount of New World American flare to make it livable.  For example the concept of “Take-Away” or “Fast-Food” isn’t foreign to them.  This is very American of me to say but there is a time and a place where quick and convenient is just more important than an enjoyable leisurely 4-hour lunch, like the Spaniards tend to do.

A spectacular sunset in Coogee Bay

Now that my “vacation week” is coming to an end, I’m slowing getting into the mode to look for an apartment and a J-O-B!  I’m getting my RSA, which is like an alcohol certification, done Thursday so I can begin to look for jobs first thing next week.  I hope to find a laid back serving job in Bondi Beach along with a cute flat in the same area.  Wish me luck as my adventure in Australia continues!  Continue to be in touch and please leave comments and feedback about my posts and journeys.  Also check out some more pictures and videos on my Flickr account!

I still can’t believe I’ve been living in Australia for almost 3 weeks now.  I can’t lie, I’m kind of proud of myself considering all that I’ve accomplished thus far.  We’ll all but a job, but that is seriously happening tomorrow along with opening a bank account.  Anyways I have met some amazingly fun and laid back people who I feel like I’ve known for years.  I’ve also found an adorable flat, which I’m settling into nicely and am so happy to finally have a home.  I took a nice trip up the coast last week, read my blog, First Trip In Oz: Coffs Harbour & South West Rocks.  All and all I really can’t complain even though I do miss my family and friends at home and a few luxury items that I’ve been living without.  Living in Sydney is everything I ever dreamed it to be and I’m so happy I had the guts to make this big move across the world on my own and start a new drama free life.

My new street Beach Road

My New Home

I’m currently renting a room in Bondi Beach, which is located in the Eastern Suburbs, on Beach Road.   I was informed about the room via a friend and am living with a nice Australian guy named Pete who works in the finance industry in the city.  My apartment is on the third floor, which is good for my figure, and is a 2 bedroom 1 bath that is fully furnished.  I am lucky to have the familiar amenities that I’m used to in the USA that I was neglected from while in Europe.  A dishwasher, washer & dryer, microwave, huge fridge, WIFI, and up to date appliances really do make a difference.  My room is kind of small but has a double bed with a single bunk up top, a good size closet and dresser.  My place is about 5 minutes walk from the beach, close to tons of bars, restaurants, shops, and convenience stores.  The nightlife in Bondi is very chill with a lot of nice big patios to enjoy some drinks with friends.  You can walk everywhere in Bondi, which was a selling point and it’s just a short bus ride to Bondi Junction, which has tons of shopping and is a transportation hub for buses and trains.  Although rent is quite steep, I’m grateful at how quickly I was able to settle into a nice place in a wonderful location.

I do have bunk beds…who's coming to visit?

Living room with the most comfortable couch ever!

Nice kitchen that I have yet to cook in…

Lifestyle

Australia is truly about “No worries” & “No Dramas” and it’s wonderful!  Most people I’ve met have been very friendly and helpful, especially guys- Ha wonder why?  Also the amount of people that walk around barefoot, and only wearing their swimsuits is crazy.  Here the motto “No shirt, No shoes, No Problem” is in full effect.  I’ve lived in a lot of coastal cities but Sydney takes the cake on how laid back both the lifestyle and people are.  It couldn’t be more opposite than Phoenix, which tends to be very fake and materialistic.  It’s actually refreshing to be on the beach and see girls that are natural and aren’t injected with silicon, botox, and other absurd amounts of enhancement surgery.  With that said there are still plenty of gorgeous people in Sydney, especially in Bondi.  Most people are very fit and are in tune with good style and most do it in a classy manner.

Pretty much standard…

Weather

I was not impressed by the weather when I first arrived to Sydney because there was so much rain and overcast skies the first few days.  Since then it has been absolutely gorgeous with highs in the mid 70’s – 80’s or low to mid 20’s Cº.  January and February are suppose to be the hottest months so we’ll see if it warms up any more.  The only set back is how muggy and humid it can be on some days, but the coastal breeze usually takes care of this issue.  At nights it’s been an average of mid 60’s (15 Cº) which is a little chilly for me, but a light jacket or a few drinks tends to do the trick.  The water temperature is a little on the cold side for me and is usually low 70’s or 22 Cº and I won’t lie, I have yet to fully jump in here.  The sun here is very strong since they have practically no ozone layer above and it’s taken some mild burns to learn my limits in the blazing sun, but I’m good now and getting prettttty tan. 

These are just the basics about my new home! Hope you all are enjoying reading about my new life.  Show me some love friends and fans! Also check out more pics on my Flickr Account.

My new home Bondi Beach!

My second week here in Sydney was suppose to be filled with job hunting and beginning to work, while enjoying settling into my apartment.  This quickly changed when my new flatmate, Pete, offered a free trip up the coast to get his car, hit up some beaches, and drive back down to Sydney.  I wanted to be responsible but after a few glasses of a nice Australian Sauvignon Blanc, I couldn’t say no.  The next morning I was on a quick Virgin Blue flight to Coffs Coast and was super excited about seeing more of the Australia and getting some more beach time in.

Coffs Harbour

The airport at Coffs was one of the smallest I have ever been in and I loved it, the simplicity of an airport usually sets the tone for the city.  We picked up the flatmates car, which thankfully hadn’t been towed, and headed straight to the beach at Coffs Harbour.  After laying out for a few hours we went to the Yacht Club, which is one of the main restaurants/bars in the area, and met some of Pete’s friends for some drinks and dinner.  I tried VB, Victoria Bitter, for the first time and can’t lie, I enjoyed it.  I’m still shocked by how much beer I’m drinking down here but I’m learning to appreciate it.  The next morning we headed to the beach again at Coffs Harbour to lay out, take a quick swim and then left for South West Rocks.

One of the beaches in Coffs Harbour

Myself enjoying the beautiful beach in Coffs Harbour

South West Rocks

After a short hour drive and a quick lunch in Nambucca, which wasn’t the classiest place I’ve been, we arrived in South West Rocks.  Although there is negative cell phone service in the area, I loved it here because it was so relaxing and everyone was beyond friendly.  My friend Tim was with his family and family friends camping right by the beach at the Arakoon campsite, which is located by the Trial Bay Gaol, yes that’s “jail.”  The camping here was not quite roughing it due to the electricity provided to power their kitchen supplies and of course their televisions to watch their beloved cricket, which I’m still completely lost on the rules.  I didn’t stay the night on the campsite but after seeing what amenities are available I think I may consider it in the future.  I spent a lot of time with the group just drinking beers, going to the beach, and exchanging hilarious stories.  It was great to be around a fun laid back family since I really miss mine.  There really isn’t much to do here but relax on the beach, take in the amazing wildlife, and enjoy some quality time with friends over a good meal and just a ‘few’ drinks.

Trial Bay at dusk- Super warm and calm little cove!

Enjoying a nice "Cold" beer in Trial Bay

Within moments of arriving at the campsite I sighted my first local wildlife, which was very exciting.  It was a huge kangaroo just chilling and munching on some grass.  They are very tame animals but you need not to get too close because they are very strong and will kick your ass.  I got some pictures with him, like the tourist I am, and we continued on a little wildlife excursion.  We came across a family of roos, with little joey’s/babies that were so cute.  I also fed a kookaburra, which I have on video, so check that out.  Later on we took some beers to the cliffs and sat as we saw a fever of stingrays, literally hundreds, sea turtles, and enjoyed the gorgeous views of the coastline.  The not so pleasant side of Aussie wildlife would have the be the abundance of flies, which is worst the farther north you are, also mosquitoes, cockroaches, other beetles, and spiders….to name a few.

My first up close and personal shot with a Kangaroo!

A great place to see some sea life & enjoy the view in South West Rocks!

Journey Home

After 3 days and nights of doing absolutely nothing but tanning, eating, and drinking, it was time to head home.  The drive wasn’t the most pleasant due to my slight hangover from the over indulgence of alcohol the previous day and night.  The highlight of the trip home was me experiencing my first meat pie.  We stopped at the World Famous Fredo Pies in Frederickton and I was crazy about my Steak Diane meat pie.  I’m definitely hooked now, but am scared that most will not meet my expectations since my first was one of the best.  This place also had meat pies made out of kangaroo, emu, crocodile, and hundreds more.  After the pit stop we continued the drive home, which ended up taking about 8 hours, 3 hours too long, due to accidents and random set backs.  I had a great mini-vacation up the coast and am so happy I decided to go before getting tied down here in Sydney.  Check out my pics on Flickr from my trip!  Everyone please leave feedback and any questions you may have!

When I first came to Australia I was expecting very lax alcohol and drinking laws and the beer to inexpensively flow like water.  I was under the impression that Aussies were kind of lushes and just assumed it was because it was cheap and readily available, such as Mexico.  This is not the case unfortunately and the government has tried to enforce multiple obstacles in hopes of stopping the immense amounts of binge and excessive drinking here, but trust me they have failed.  It might cost you a lot more and be much more of a hassle to get your hands on some booze, but that doesn’t stop this lovely country from getting their drink on.

Just a few Americans enjoying some beverages responsibly!

Taxes

Everything is expensive in Sydney, but alcohol is sooo expensive it’s seriously disgusting.  At bars, clubs, restaurants, and in the “Bottle Shops” the amount they charge for booze here should be illegal! For example, if one were to buy a bottle of Smirnoff here it would cost about $40, in the US $12, and a good bottle like Grey Goose will cost you $90, in the US $40. Ew. Right?  Plus who even drinks Smirnoff?  Even a 6 pack of Corona’s or other import can cost you $20 at a local bottle shop in Bondi.  Wine is the one alcohol that you can get at a decent price.  Most younger Aussies and backpackers drink “Goon” which is boxed wine, that is disgusting, but for $10 you can get around 3 liters.  The origin of goon comes from the Aboriginal translation, which means pillow, because the Aborigines would drink the goon wine and then blow up the bag for a pillow.  Classy huh?  I’m hooked on a great $10 Rosé that I discovered at my local bottle shop on Beach Rd, and my most recent obsession, thanks to my fellow American Liz, is Passion Pop, which is a $6 bottle of sparkling goodness that does the job.

A classy box of Goon Wine chillin' on my balcony

Laws

In addition to placing ridiculous amounts of taxes on of their booze, they also have tons of laws and rules they have put into place.  RSA class or Responsiblity for Serving Alcohol, is a mandatory class for anyone that plans to serve alcohol for a job.  It was a 6 hour lecture about the dangers of drinking, binge drinking, “drink” driving, and the laws surrounding serving alcohol.  It was not a fun day and of course I went straight to the pub after for a beer.  Also the fines for serving minors or over-serving someone can cost you up to $11,000.  Alcohol can only be purchased in bottle shops aka liquor stores, and is usually not for sale after 10pm.  Most bars highly monitor who they’re letting in and will ask you how many drinks you’ve had, and if your answer is more than 2 they usually will deny you entry and tell you to come back later, which you then just head to another club.  Drinking on the streets and in public places is not illegal unless stated on a a sign, so that’s nice.  Finally the limits that they have imposed at sporting events, such as cricket, are horrible and you aren’t even able to get a full strength beer.

All the different "Standard Drinks" here in Oz

Hot Messes

Everyone knows Aussies are big drinkers and they know how to have a good time, and I love them for that.  I thought I was prepared for this but I was sorely mistaken.  Since I’ve been in Sydney I’ve learned the hard way that there is absolutely no way I can keep up with the Aussies.  I don’t know how they do it.  They will drink all day, while at a barbie or whatever it is they do, and just continue into the nighttime not even phased.  Well I mean they are usually wasted, or pissed as they say, but somehow keep it together.  I can’t do it, I’m one or the other: day drinking or night drinking.  Also a new term I’ve learned is to “skull” a beer, which would be like “pound” or “chug” in the American culture.  Oh yes all these life lessons the Aussies are teaching me.

A typical Aussie fridge in a bottle shop

Getting Around It

If you’re coming to Australia for a holiday or to move I would recommend buying the maximum amount of booze at the duty free store in the airport to save yourself some money.  These bottles will come in handy for your pre-drinking activities and your new best friend in Oz, your flask.  In the bars here a cocktail will literally be one shot, which is 30 ml aka about an ounce.  This caught me by surprise since I’m used to the states where normally your single cocktail will end up being a at least a double.  It’s actually sobering to drink single drinks here and is super expensive.  This has turned me into more of a beer girl and of course I am still enjoying my wine.

Don’t let this article leave a bad taste in your mouth about Australia.  It is unfortunate but believe me there are tons of things that make up for it in this country.  Hope this was useful information and gives you a better idea about what it’s like to drink Down Under.  It really hasn’t slowed me down, in fact Australia has made me much more of a lush but everything in moderation right?  Please comment and give me some feedback regarding topics you would like to know more about while living in Australia! Thanks!

I thought moving to Australia was going to be a cake walk since we do share a common language called “English.”  I couldn’t have been more more wrong thanks to their accents, which can be very difficult to understand, and their ridiculous lingo aka made up words.  Keeping up with the  Aussies can be hard and I constantly find myself having people explain their terminology or repeat themselves because I literally have no clue what they’re saying.  I actually served a gentleman the other day and I literally could not understand one word he was saying, it was so embarrassing but what can you do?

How to Speak Australian

The first obstacle one encounters when talking to someone in Australia is deciphering if the person is a true Aussie, a Kiwi (from New Zealand), American, Canadian, or from the England/Ireland region.  With these different nationalities comes a completely different accent and their own lingo to go along with it.  Also there are heaps of Europeans from non-English speaking countries, Asians, and a lot of Brazilians in Sydney.  You really never know what you’re going to get when you start speaking to someone down here, which makes it that much more interesting.

Some of the stereotypical phrases that we’re used to in the states are present down here, but not exactly the same.  Shrimp on the barbie is not accurate because they call shrimps prawns, but the Aussies do love their barbies, as do I.  The do say g’day, mate, cheers, no worries, no dramas, and wanker.  This is only the beginning of the lingo and their language continues to boggle my mind daily…

Lingo

How to speak Australian can be summarized with a few key rules.  First, they abbreviate EVERYTHING!  After half the word is cut off it’s usually safe to assume that you add -ies to the end and you’re good to go.  For example sunglasses are sunnies, breakfast is brekkie, and mosquitos are mozzies, which have been eating me alive.  Another trend in the lingo is shortening words and adding an -o to the end like with avro, which is afternoon or seppo which is short for septic tank and a lovely nickname for us Americans, along with Yanks.  One thing I don’t quite understand is their tendency to end sentences with the word but.  The first time I experienced this I was like, “Yes continue on…”

Just in my cozzie…enjoying the view of Bondi Beach

One phrase that really caught me off guard is someone asking you if you “Fancy a root?”  This and tons other variations on this phrase means “Do you want to have sex?” or something to deal with being absolutely messed up, like rooted when you’re really drunk.  So ladies this is one you definitely want to take note of because I’m sure you will come across a similar situation down here.  But don’t get the wrong impression about the Aussie guys, they really aren’t usually that forward and don’t come across as complete womanizers like many other nationalities.

Here are some helpful sayings / words to get you acquainted with the language Down Under….

Ankle-biter: Infant or baby

Bog in : Begin eating, to attack food with enthusiasm or be a Carnie

Bottle Shop: Liquor store

Cabbie: Taxi Driver- By the way they are the biggest as*holes down here…

Chemist: A pharmacy or someone who writes you prescriptions

Chips: French Fries

Crisps: Our chips, fried potato chips

Cozzie: Swimming costume aka swimsuit

Dead Horse: Tomato sauce / Ketchup

Gronk: Complete idiot / moron

Good on ya: Well done or good for you

Hotel: A pub that can be with or without food or accommodation * You always have your local pub/hotel!

Lollies: Sweets or candies, not necessarily lollipops

Longnecks: 750ml bottle of beer…On Australia Day I was called out for “longneckin” my Passion Pop

Macca’s: McDonald’s

Off one’s face or on the piss: Drunk

Roadie: A beer you take with you…gotta love these!

Skull or skol: To drink a beer without taking a breath aka our pound or chug

Westie: Someone from Sydney’s western suburbs…Not the classiest area of people

Follow this link for a more detailed list of Aussie sayings and lingo.

My local Bottle Shop! Love this place..

The Australians do cuss a lot and are constantly insulting each other, but it’s all in good fun.  They have a very dry sense of humor that I love and there is never a dull moment around them.  They have no “sensor” regarding what they say and to whom.  There is no BS down here and you’re going to hear how someone really feels and I wouldn’t have it any other way.  Most Americans can’t quite handle the truth, but I love the brutal honesty of the Australian culture.  People are not easily offended here or worried about being politically correct and it’s amazingly refreshing.

Pronunciation & Spelling of Words

The Aussies have a tendency to completely leave out letters in a word.  For example Melbourne is pronounced simply as Melbin, because that makes sense? Both the letters “h” and “z” are pronounced differently.  I just joined ANZ Bank, which is pronounced A N Z(ed).  WTF?  The word aluminum is also one that they have their own way with and manage to pronounce it al-u-min-e-um, which is adding an extra syllable.  Also their spelling is much like the Queen’s English with all their ou’s like in colour.  The word that really caught me by surprise was the word jail is actually spelled gaol.

Yup Tomato Sauce it is!

My Lingo Progress

The more time I spend with Australians the more their lingo is rubbing off on me.  It really is inevitable for this to happen and I’m loving all the new words and ways to say things.  I have really become a fan of sayings/words such as: I can’t be bothered, reckon, something bad is just sh*t, heaps, bottle shop, and the list really does go on.  I’ve also picked up the cue after many people giving me a blank stare that ketchup is actually called tomato sauce, but must be pronounced with a hard o sound like in Tom.  I’m sure the longer I’m down here the more sayings and lingo I will pick up and say without even realizing.  It should be interesting to see how much these Aussies do rub off on this American girl living in their world!

Hope this was helpful to those of you wanting to hear a little about the lingo and language down here in Australia.  I’m sure I’ll have more favorite words in the future and my Australian vocabulary will continue to grow!