G'Day Mates & Birds!
Y'all are probably wondering why we're saying birds and not sheilas anymore... that's because we just learned today that Sheila is more derogatory and rude; and us ladies are called birds.. so we apologize to whomever we've offended.. :p
Our first full day started out a little crazy.  We had to be ready by 6:45 and since it was the packer game yesterday; we obviously wanted to show our support. Therefore, we quickly got dressed, and ran downstairs to find the most Australian looking sign we could take a picture with.  Luckily, we managed to get a picture in our shirts & with Bentley. We believe that they finally won, because we brought them good luck all the way from Sydney!  Then, we had to rush back up stairs and get ready for the day.  Within the last five minutes of having to leave, I couldn't find my phone or room key. So obviously, we ripped the entire room apart & then I realized that I left it in the lobby.  Luckily, it was still there when we got there. by 6:45, we already knew our day was going to be interesting.  We then proceeded to have breakfast, nothing fancy; just rice krispies, toast & orange juice.  After we finished breakfast we headed out to the Central Station.  The central Station is their train/subway station.  This is really handy because it is located only a block away.  After we shortly got on the train, we had to get off, however we had a little complication.  Half of the group got off, but then our half didn't move our slow butts, and we got stuck on the train! So at the next stop we got off and went back, luckily they were s†ill there waiting! After that little mishap things settled in. We then proceeded to the ferry. Where we had a lovely ride with a gorgeous view, until Hallie started feeling sick. After we got off the ferry, we had to get on another bus which was no bueno for Hal. I thought she might yack, but nope she held it together like the champ that she is! We then had to take a shuttle bus to the Q Station, which is a place where the people immigrating to Australia used to have to stop at to be checked for diseases, they even had to take acid showers. However, now it is a four star resort and that is where we had our beach culture lecture. Which we both thought was very interesting and informational, we learned about the beach lifestyle, surfing history and many other fascinating things from Damion McCellan who started eco tours! We then had lunch and were off to our four kilometers hike! (we don't do math well, so y'all can figure out the miles) The hike was very hot and we became quite hot messes minus the hot part but we both really enjoyed it! The hike took place at North Head Sanctuary; the scenery was beautiful and the vegetation is so different then anything we had ever seen before. Damion was our guide on the hike and we learned quite a few things about the Australian vegetation and wildlife. The views we got to see were absolutely gorgeous, we got to look out over the ocean and it really was breath taking. Finally, we were done "learning" and we had free time! We decided to go snorkeling, where our previous tour guide, Damion then began our snorkel guide.  Snorkeling was AMAZING. Also, as a little side note, we snorkeled at Shelley Beach so here's a little shout out to shell, we love you!


 We saw many fish. 1 fish, 2 fish, red fish blue fish! haha just kidding.  We saw so many fishes and we actually saw a huge blue fish! The view underwater was breathtaking.  Actually, it did take our breath away sometimes, and we ended up getting salt water in our nose or mouth.. NO BUENO!! But overall, it was definitely a wonderful experience.  After that, we decided to go check out the shops by the beach. We did a little shopping and then decided we were starving! We then ventured out on our trying to find The Warf, However, we had no idea where to go.  So we just kept walking straight...finally; we caved in and asked for directions, guys are the only stubborn ones! The kind men we asked told us to walk the opposite direction we were going...we then realized if we stayed on the same road we were on before, we would of saved ourselves 1/2 of mile and humiliation.  Oh well, just the typical American travelers here.  We ended up finding a delicious place called the Bavarian Bier Cafe, it was quite delicious, we shared a salmon meal with a sunset view over the pacific ocean. Finally, after our meal, we decided to headed back to Sydney.  Unfortunately, we had to take the ferry again; but we both survived it & captured gorgeous photos of the Sydney Opera House.  Overall, the thing we both feel most accomplished about today, is that we navigated the train system all by ourselves! it was amazing, especially because we are so awful with directions.
We had a wonderful day, and learned so many new things.
But in all honesty, we cannot wait for the fireworks tonight for New Years Eve. So stay tuned for pictures of those!
Much Love,
Hal & Zoë

The Kangaroos Have Landed! (Sunday's Adventures)

Our long journey to Sydney started with mechanical errors.  We were delayed for over two hours because the lights wouldn't dim properly.. how lame! But the 16 hour flight wasn't as bad as we thought because we ended up sitting together!! YAYY! However, we did sleep 70% of time, 20% of the time was eating, and 5% spent on playing happy jump & the last 5% keeping each other's sanity.
When we landed, the first thing we saw entering the airport was wine & chocolate & some more wine. Then, we had to go through customs, we were stopped and head to get sniffed out by a dog.. we we're in the clear! After, we met up with our travel guide, Ross.  We then found out that he grew up in Green Bay, what a small world!

We then checked out our hostile, which is actually really nice! (pictures will be coming soon.) Also, the first five minutes in our room, I manage to plug in the adapter, along with my power strip, incorrectly.  Therefore, the power strip proceeded to spark, smoke and stink up the room. The bad luck for Hallie has begun. Since it was already noon, we had some fish & chips and salad; there food is amazing here.  Afterwards, we went on about a two hour walking tour of Sydney.  Now let us tell you, it is absolutely GORGEOUS here.  Oh, did we mention that it was in the 70's yesterday? We got to see the SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE which was amazing! The downtown architecture is so pretty and out of the ordinary to what we have in the States. Oh, and they had so many Christmas tree's up!! ekk, we were pretty excited for that!!! We had dinner at a cute pizza place and the waiters weren't bad looking themselves! We each had Kangaroo pizza with cranberries and red peppers, it was delicious! (But we did feel a little guilty eating those cute little things) and we tried crocodile but we didn't feel to guilty about that one, and we both didn't like it. Finally, we headed back to our room, around 8:30 which was 5:30 am in scoonie time;

so we were pretty exhausted by then.
Today, we woke up at 5:30 am, Aussie time, 12:30pm Scoonie sunday.
We will be heading to Manly beach and hope to snorkel!
G'day mates & GO PACKERS!!!!!
Much Love,
Hall & Zoë

Today's the Day!

Ello Mates and Shelias! 

After lots of last minute packing, we're ready to go. According to my scale, my suitcase is 54lbs and Zoës weighs in at 46lbs. So we'll have to see how nice TSA is, otherwise I may be stuffing my stuff into her suitcase...

Around 11:30 we met at the Milwaukee Grill in Janesville. Actually, I was running late, as I normally am, so it was closer to 1145. 

When we got there we stuffed our selves with some good old American food. And we are now carrying a couple food babies during our travel. 

Our flight leaves around 6 tonight and we fly to LAX with an hour lay over. Then we go on our 14 hour flight. Let's hope we won't be insane by then. However, when we arrive to Sydney, we will miss a whole day! Our Saturday will just disappear! Poof! That means we will not be posting then, hopefully we will be sound a sleep or eating. 

Thank you everyone who has wished us luck on our flights. We appreciate it greatly. 

Adios amigos!

Much Love,

Hallie & Zoë 

'Twas the Night Before Take Off...

...when all through the house. 

Zoë and I were stirring, haven't yet packed a blouse! 

Clothes slowly started to be packed up with care. 

In hopes we can fit all our wardrobes in there. 

The parents were nestled all snug in their beds. 

In hopes that during our travels, we don't hit our heads. 

Mamma E, Papa E, Mamma S, Papa P, 

We couldn't make this trip without their money tree.

Spread out in our bedrooms, what clutter, what clatter,

Picking out T-shirts, swimsuits and other necessary matter. 

We threw in some undies, we threw in some socks, 

Starting to stress with the speed of the clocks.   

Now Tank tops! Now Shorts! Now Flip Flops & Dresses! 

Now Make up! Now Lip gloss! Now stuff for our tresses! 

We only hope we can close up our cases.

Now zip up! Yes zip up! For warm, southern places.

We hope on our flight we can sit by each other,

and survive 18 hours without wanting our mother.

First to Chicago, then to LA, finally to Sydney 

On the plane for almost a day. 

We are really excited that we're headed down under.

All sights to be seen will be such a wonder.

We know it's a class and learning is great.

Happy New Year to all, and of course, G'Day Mate! 

 

I hope you enjoyed our version of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas.

Now to the important stuff. 

Many of you know, Zoë Page and I will be traveling to Sydney, Australia and Dunedin, New Zealand. We are going to Australia for two weeks through a school winterim, study abroad program. Our trip to New Zealand is separate-to see my brother and his family. We leave tomorrow, (Friday) with our group.  Our goal is to keep this blog updated with our daily activities.  Our apologies, ahead of time, if there is not a post everyday, we'll be busy bees, or kangaroos as the say in Australia...or maybe not. 

We hope you enjoy our blog & while we are going to be where it's sunny and 75.. or 105, we hope you can stay warm! 

Much Love,

Hallie & Zoë <3