I went down to Cape Town with Andre, Gail, Sabrina, and Johan. WE drove down and ate dinner right when we got to Anita's house (Anita is Andre's sister). When we got there we had dinner right away. The next morning was Anita's 50th. The food was incredible. It was quite overwhelming meeting everyone, to give you an idea their family is like the size of the Carney's extended family. Afterwards we went to the beach and it was incredible, too cold to go in but I missed walking along the beach.
The next day we went to the beach again. We went to this incredible ice cream shop and I got Passion fruit and a chocolate flavor. I managed to chip my tooth on a passion fruit seed. Yes you heard right I CHIPPED my tooth on ICE CREAM! Then we went to the beach and climbed on some rocks. Next we went to the Waterfront and walked around, it was beautiful there! 
The following day, now here is were the picture comes in, I climbed Table Mountain. I climbed it with Gail, Andre, and Robyn (Johan's cousin). Johan and Sabrina went up the cable car. Table Mountain has an elevation of 1,085 Meters or 3559.71 Feet. It was a difficult climb but I'm glad I did it! It was fun! On the way up this girl insulted me in German, thankfully using really simple German words so I understood the gist of it. I just laughed then responded in German (She was very embarrassed). The top had a beautiful view! We took the cable car down (I didn't mind one bit).


Cape Town was incredible and if you go definitely climb Table Mountain and if you are really brave maybe even abseil it!

We went camping at Mbizi. It was very relaxed. We slept in tents but had electricity so that was very nice! We played lots of game while we were there. We played The Game of Things, 30 Seconds, General Knowledge, Smart Ass, and this game where you guess what you are. It was tons of fun! We went for walks and saw Zebra, Wildebeest, Giraffes, and more. It was a very relaxing trip. For Easter we hung out by the pool and Johan, Erika, and I got a drink in the pool bar. 

I woke up at 5:30am and Gabby made us toast with scrambled eggs. They got me a uniform and we took first day of school photos. Then we were off to school. During Registration (Homeroom) I didn't realize you had to stand until the teacher said sit and wait to be dismissed. Erika took me to Bio and the teacher didn't even realize I was there. I then went with Gabs yo Afrikaans. The teacher was so funny and thought I was a new student at first.They spent the first half of the class going over homework and then he asked me all these questions about back home. Afterwards we spent the rest of the class watching Trevor Noah videos. Then Erika had Bio again but the teacher couldn't come to class so we sat around talking with Ashley. During break (Lunch) I had a chicken sandwich and some cookies Gabby had made. Then it was double math with Erika and Gabby so I just coloured pictures. Geography was the last class of the day (It was a half day) and these two guys were trying so hard to impress me but just sounded like idiots it was so funny! After school Gabby and I hung out with Erika until she had to go to Major Production practice. Gabs and I went and got ice cream. It was a great day sneaking into school! 

Saying goodbye was hard but I was also so excited for my next part of my trip. My long flight was awesome! I had what I call "First Class" Economy, this is when you have a whole row of three seats to yourself! You get to stretch out and even lay down plus you get three pillows and three blankets. I had three meals on the flight and they were once again nice! I watched so many movies on the 14 hour flight. I got bored at some points, but it was a nice flight. Going through customs in South Africa was really easy thank goodness! At one point though an old lady in front of my fainted and it was pretty scary. The poor little boy next to me turned to his mom afterwards all worried the lady died. She was okay though just was standing for too long in the hot line and was dehydrated. I finally got to see Erika and I was so happy! We talked nonstop and I met her family too! More on South Africa later!

Kangaroo Island* was incredible!! Our tour** guide was Rico, he had dreads and could smoke more then a chimney! We drove to the ferry and rode the ferry over. First we went to Kingscote. We went to the bay and the water was refreshing but warm. Next we went to see the sea lions. It was too hot for my feet on the beach so I stayed on the deck area but I could still see them just not as close. Now before you judge me for being a wimp on the sand it was 55 Celsius that is 131 Fahrenheit!! Next we went kayaking and swam in the ocean. The ocean was sooo cold but it felt incredible on such a hot day. I loved going under and just feeling cold. It was as refreshing as a big glass of iced tea. We went on a koala walk and saw so many of the cute critters!! Finally we went to the hostel which was on a farm. It was so hot in the dorm room I just lied awake most of the night. 

Next morning came early! We went to the Remarkable Rocks and they truly were remarkable! The rocks all looked like modern pieces of art but the granite was formed by nature. Afterwards it was time for Admiral's Arch. There was a lighthouse that I found very pretty! We saw seals sun baking, a mom calling to her pup, and two fighting. Next it was time for lunch which was fantastic because I was starving! The next beach we went to was my favourite. I had no idea sand could be so white. Then we went to a sand dune to sled/sand-board. The sand was blowing everywhere! It felt like you were getting pelted by tiny bullets! I boarded down once. It was so much fun! I got sand everywhere though: in my mouth, eyes, ears, and every other inch of me! It took 3 showers to get all the sand out of my hair. We went to prospect hill to look out over KI before heading to the Ferry to go back home. There was a two hour delay from an unexpected storm. They weren't sure we could get off the island that night but thankfully we did! On the ferry home I got up to get hot chocolate and I didn't have my sea legs so I looked like a drunken sailor. It was so bad that the guy who served me offered to take my drink back to my seat for me. I, being the stubborn person I am decided I could handle it. I barely made it back without dropping it but I made it; as my favourite teacher always said "close only counts in horseshoes and grenades!" 

*Kangaroo Island is a must if you are in Adelaide!
**The tour I took was through Groovy Grape

I would like to start of this blog by apologizing for taking so long to post. Thanks for your patience :)

Flying to Sydney was amazing. How can flying be amazing you ask? I will tell you: AUSTRALIAN SECURITY. It is incredible for the simple reason that you do not have to take your shoes off. It made the line go so much faster. Plus the flight was so fast compared to my last flight from New York to Australia. Once we got to our room in the hotel we just dropped our stuff off and the three of us walked around Darling Harbour. Oh by the way I went with Daniel and Uncle Warwick. We decided to go to the aquarium and it was a lot of fun. There was a tunnel that was under the water that you walked in; you got to see all the fish swimming over your head and on both sides of you. I felt like I was under water with them and should be holding my breath. It took a long time to get through because Uncle Warwick had to read EVERYTHING! I didn't mind though because it gave me more time to look at all the sea critters. We saw these sweet street performers and watched them every night. They were hip hop dancers but also very funny! Two of my favourite things they said were: "This isn't the U.S. and I am not Obama, I do not want change" <- about donations to them and "Lets get this show on the road before you can only see my teeth!" <- he was black and it was getting dark. We went to Eat Love Pizza for dinner and I got the pasta, it was delicious!!

 The Next day we rode the ferry to Sydney Harbour. We went to do the Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb and I highly recommend it! It was the best view of the Sydney Harbour you will ever get! I lost my breath from the views not because it was hard. Afterwards we went to the Rocks and went to this place called the Burger Joint for lunch. It was on me this time as a way to thank them for taking me. The rocks had this historic old charm to it, I loved it! Next we went to the Opera House and you have no idea how impressive it is until you are standing next to it. Afterwards we went to the Botanical Gardens for a different perspective of the harbour. We got gelati next because we felt we deserved it for all the walking we had done. We  discovered a free tour through the rocks and I though of my brother Josh through lots of it. The tour guide really reminded me of him. Finally we began our walk home to sleep. we stopped at the Japanese restaurant and Warwick got raw salmon. I went to go to a bathroom and I had to go through a labyrinth of doors and hallways AND cross an alleyway to get to the bathroom. I thought I was going to be murdered! 

The next day we went to Manly and met up with Daniella and Toni. We just walked around and it was really pretty! They even had a Ben and Jerry's. Afterwards we went back to the Rocks for a beer (I got a shandy) and pretzel and a German restaurant. It was a great day!! the next day we flew home.

Again sorry for the delay I have to more posts on the way.

I woke up bright and early at 6:30am; Christmas is the only day I am a morning person! Daryl came over and we opened up stockings and presents. Then we had the most delicious breakfast of fruit and Coffee Cake. The best part of all was that we ate it outside! Then we went to the Surf Club for Beer and Pie Brekky. I skipped the beer and had a Pink Moscato but I did enjoy some meat pie! Then we went down to the beach to take pictures! Afterwards the rest of the family came over for Christmas Lunch and it was once again an incredible meal. I played Kan Jam, held the babies, and ate until I was going to burst. It was such a great and different Christmas. My white Christmas was white sand on a 90 degree day and I was just fine with that!

I would like to start off by apologizing for my lack of posts. I have been very busy and haven't found time to make any posts. 

I got to ride the Tram for the first time ever with Alicia and Chelsea. I couldn't figure out how to pay with the machine and I felt like such a tourist for the first time in a long time! We went to Rundle Mall to shop until Auntie Kel got there with the twins and Mitchell. Once they got there we went to the Magic Cave which is a little area in the mall to see Santa and they have rides. It was very cute! Then we went out to lunch, which was good because we were all starving! On the way home all these drunk teenagers got on the tram on there way to Stereosonic (a music festival) they were so obnoxious! When I got home I took a nap to prepare for the Adelaide United soccer match!

We got to the game and it was United versus Brisbane Roar. Brisbane won but the referees were awful and made stupid calls. After the game we went with Alicia's friends to get food, I never turn down food! To get to our car we had to climb up and over a closed off bridge. I asked why it was closed off and they said it has been for years because it is structurally unsound, but not to worry because EVERYONE does it. After they said that I became a little hesitant (I'm all for adventure but that just seemed dumb)!  I looked around though and sure enough a lot of people were doing it, and not just teenagers but full grown adults, so how dangerous could it be. Well it was dangerous for a clutz like me, I ended up cutting the inside of my mouth because I had to put my drink bottle in my mouth to climb over the fence. 

After that we went to a Chinese restaurant and all they gave us was chopsticks (not even the option of a fork and knife) so I had to learn very fast how to use them. I must say I was pretty good! After we had eaten a lot of the food I saw a nice roasted cherry tomato slice with all these seeds in it (which meant is still had all the juice in it). So I picked it up and popped the slice in my mouth except when I bit down there was no yummy juice just a burning sensation! All of a sudden my face turns to shock and panic and I just say "That was NOT a tomato!" as I discover I had in fact just consumed a roasted chilli pepper! I skull my water and everyone else's water too! No relief though! The waitress is going around and I just look up at her and ask for some milk. She realized what I had done and told me to eat some rice and she will be right back. I grab the platter of rice and the giant serving spoon (we chose to share our food) and just started shovelling it into my mouth while saying how it isn't helping. Finally I feel the sweet relief of the milk as it distinguishes the burning in my mouth. The table can't stop laughing at such a stupid mistake. We get up and head to San Churros for dessert.

I fell in love with San Churros fast when I could smell all the chocolate goodness wafting through the air. I got a piece of chocolate cake and when I got it, it was the size of my head! It was as follows: A layer of chocolate cake, chocolate mousse, chocolate cake, caramel mousse, chocolate cake, all covered in a chocolate ganache. I ate the majority of it and it was delicious!!! Some of the people got hot chocolate but it was literally just melted chocolate it was so thick! After that we headed home which was good because I was in a food coma by that stage! 

I went to the wildlife center with Alicia, Chelsea, and Daryl. It was my favorite day so far! I saw: koalas, kangaroos, a peacock fan out its tail, a jaguar, two dingos (they didn't eat a baby though so that's good), monkeys, and so much more! The best parts were the kangaroos and koalas! I got to feed kangaroos and they were very nice! Holding the koala was awesome! They have the cutest face and the softest fur! Afterwards we went out to lunch and I got a pizza meat pie. It tasted so good! For dessert I had gelati and it tasted sooo good!

Trying to be better at writing more often. It won't be long but I will list you some of the things I was surprised to find out here.

• The weather in Australia is as bipolar as NY (yesterday was 90 and today is 70)
• The US really should change to the metric system because as I learn it more and more it just makes sense!
• Driving on the left side of the road still freaks me out!
• Speaking of driving the amount of round-abouts

heck round-abouts in general is a lot! I used to think it was pointless how many they had, but they have grown on me slowly as they prove to be useful.

• Now for the toilets, I can't tell you if it spins the other way because it is not a slow flush but a violent crash! All the toilets have two buttons a half flush and a full flush. On top of that they barely have water in the toilet (conserve water)
• The money is colorful which isn't just fun but useful! I am not a fan of the $1 and $2 coins but it might grow on me
• Everything already has tax put in the prices, so if it is $5 then you know when you pay you only need $5. It is very helpful!