Renting a car and road trip to Australia Zoo

This weekend was all about Kirsten, Therese, Erica, Marianne and me. We decided that we should rent a car and drive to Brisbane to explore the world famous Australia Zoo, home of Steven Irwin. Since the stirring wheel in on the right of the car they decided that they should drive on the left side of the road..We left the driving up to Kirsten since she really wanted to drive and the navigating up to me since I was the oldest..ha ha pretty funny..We left Robina at 6am on Saturday morning with plans to stop by a little market before the zoo but by the time we got into Brisbane we only had about 30 minutes so we went to see the Glass House Mountain and take a short trail to get ourselves warmed up for the all day trek around the zoo. I have been to several zoo in my life but I will say this by far is one of the most amazing things I have ever seen in my life. The place that Steve Irwin build is all about the animals as well as giving people a once in a life opportunity as well. For example Kirsten got a chance to hold a snake and alligator (have her picture taken with them), Therese got to hold a snake and Kola (have her picture taken with them), Marianna got a chance to hold a Kola (take a picture with it) and of course myself I got a chance to hold a Kola (have my picture taken with it as well.) That is something I will alway remember in my life. We got to feed an elephant, kangaroos roamed freely in a gated area where we could walk up pet them as well as feed them, at first I was really scared because they have major claws but after seeing them a couple times later in the day I was able to feed a mama along with her Joey. They put on an amazing Croc show as well as a Bengal Tiger show. We tried our best to see everything but it is so BIG you can't do everything in one day. I shall return at another time I promise you, it is AMAZING!!. Sunday was our last day with the car so we took it pretty easy and just drove about 20 minutes south to Coolangatta to relax on the beach and enjoy the freedom of having a car. (Don't get me wrong the bus system is great but it takes twice as long to get anywhere). Next up is a trip to the outlet mall as well as a camping trip to Byron Bay sometime in November where I am thinking about Skydiving with Kristen...well shall see!!

PS school isn't as bad as I first thought, of course there is work but my professors are amazing and being a Post Grad student has its benefits. For example in my Journalism class for our tutorial we are getting one on one time with another journalism professor and he bought me a milkshake and another fellow Post Grad a coffee. I sure don't expect this every week but it was sure nice of him, Bond Uni does pride itself on knowing its students. I have a couple BIG assignments due this week so I shall spend the nights working on those.

Once again check here for more updates next week.

To all my friends and family I miss you lots and just think you too get to experience Australia through this blog. KET 4 life.

Cheers,

Theresa

First two weeks

Hey everyone!! Sorry it have been awhile since I have updated my blog. Here is what you have missed. I left Washington on September 4th and arrived in Brisbane, Australia on September 6th, yes that would be a day and half of traveling around the world.

I currently live with two roommates, Erica a 20 year old from Jersey and Marianne a 23 year old from Norway. It have been great having other people around to do things with. The first week I was in Australia I attend orientation called Bond Week, during this week they gave you chance to get to know the campus, enroll in class, set up your email account etc, they also had planned events like a campus bar b que, trivia night and a couple of parties on campus. Even though it has been busy with all this activities I have had a chance to set out and see other parts of the gold coast. I have been to Surfer Paradise, Broad Beach, Currumbin Beach and Sea World. I have upcoming trips to the world famous Australian Zoo as well as a trip to Sydney for a Halloween Harbor Cruise. I look forward to see a much of Australia as I can as well as the several countries located around Australia.

Oh no minor detail I left out...I also am here for school, ha ha. There is what I am taking for classes, Sport Law, Sport Business Innovation, Sport Public Relation and Specialized Journalism about travel and sports writing. So far all my classes have been pretty interesting but I will say going back to school after a 5 year break has been pretty hard, I forgot how much information they provided you as well as all the assignments and reading you much do. I will say it is very hard with all the distraction such as the wonderful weather, the beaches and all the social activities but I will say I came to Australia to do all those wonderful things but I also came to get a Masters degree in Sports Management and I plan in doing so.

Now that I have given you an update please check back here next week and the following weeks as I will update this each weekend.

Cheers from Australia!!

Theresa