G'Day Mate

Getting On with Australia

Well everyone, I did what 50,000+ New Zealand Kiwi's do each year: cross the ditch to Oz (in normal English that means I bought a plane ticket to cross the Tasman Sea for Australia). Australia is colloquially known as Oz as the shortened abbreviation for Australia is Aus or Aussie and, well, that sounds like you're saying Oz. So, everyone, welcome to Oz! 

"If I had my way, if I was lucky enough, if I could be on the brink my entire life - that great sense of expectation and excitement without the disappointment - that would be the perfect state"

~ Cate Blanchett (Australian actress)

My first impression: Australians speak up to their stereotype, mate. Kinda ridiculous.

Literally, the customs agent, bio-security agent, shuttle driver, and taxi drive all gave introductions that began with 'G'day mate'. That's 4 folks in the first 12 hours (pretty much the entire amount of people I talked with the first 12 hours too). It has yet to cease.

Firstly, for those who forget where in the world I am, here's some help:

And for those who never paid any attention in World Geography class, here's a few interesting facts:

1.  Australia became a Federation from Britain in 1901 and today remains a member of the Commonwealth of Nations
2. In 1902, Australia became the second country in the world to give women the right to vote (if you remember, New Zealand was the first). America did this in 1920.
3. Beer drinking is at an all time low with only 4.23 litres per person being consumed.
4. It's compulsory to vote. The fine starts at $20 and only goes up from there.
5. Australia is just a touch smaller, geographically, than the 48 contiguous states. Population is  at 22.3 million (2013).

Getting on with being Australian, mate

No, G'day is not a requirement. Since we are in tourist country Gold Coast, Australia my still thick American accent is surprisingly recognizable (thank goodness nobody has called me Canadian as yet).  Of course I have come with an agenda: meet Patty and his gurlfriend.

Dec 2009 throwback![Patty in the green]

Look at that cute girlfriend he picked up while out and about

Sorry, but it was great seeing my mate after nearly 2ish years! Now that the introductions are over, let's get on with touring this Orlando-like tourist center. Our itinerary included:

1. Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
2. Q1 Tower
3. Gold Coast 'eye'
4. Skywalk - walk over, and on, a rainforest!
5. beaches, beaches and even more sunny and golden beaches

6. 
   

   Screw the Sanctuary. This place is terrifying!

   I squeezed that snake a touch to hard so the keeper had to take it from me while yelling "not too hard". It was just really, really, really terrifying!
   

   

   Q1 is the tallest residential tower in the world.

   
   

   
   

   

   This could be your view @Q1

Gold Coast 'eye'

Rainforest!

Finger me haha!

Looking down at the Rainforest

Pat and Nari walking about the cantilever.

Giant Strangler Fig

Note: These trees grow from the air down. Birds eat fig seeds and then poop out the seeds on the branch of a host tree. Nutrients are then absorbed via the air and the seed grows down to Earth over a few hundred years.

Well now that's about all for introductory Oz right at this moment. No worries, plenty of  adventures to come!

For now, here is a picture of the Gold Coast skyline for your viewing pleasure:

All the best mate,
:D