I was more homesick when I was in Australia than I have ever been in the last 2 years. It was so hard to be reminded of what an amazing country I left - stocked full of memories and people I love so much - only to have to leave so quickly.
This post will be very picture heavy and not so much with the words. I can't do my country justice, and my photos aren't the best, but they are my Australia (with a little of what you might recognise).
Fresh off the plane is a perfect time for photos, not.
Right after we arrived, we went to Cronulla, a beach in Sydney. The weather was lovely and we even dipped our toes in the water.
The day after we arrived we flew to Melbourne, where I was born and all my family lives. We did some sightseeing, some football watching, some eating and some hanging out with family.
Back in Sydney, we went to Featherdale Wildlife Park. If you ever visit Sydney, it's a great day out because it's smaller and less crazy than the zoo, and it really focuses on Aussie animals, whereas the zoo will be just like your zoo. However, if you don't have a car, Taronga Zoo is probably your best bet, but you can't go up to the kangaroos and wallabies (the small ones that look like kangaroos) like at Featherdale. Also, it is against the law to hold a koala in NSW - you can still do it in QLD apparently.
I told KC to stand next to the Cockatoo and he did and then it said hello and he freaked the eff out. I laughed far too hard.
Um, you really shouldn't feed the animals leaves and stuff. Just FYI ok. Do as I say, not as I do.
You can buy kangaroo 'food' for a donation, and it's basically grass in an ice cream cone and they snatch that shit out of your hands, or they bite the top and the stuff falls out all over their cute faces.
Don't ever touch a wombat. They can break the shit out of any bone in your body.
Dingoes are not dogs and you should not pet them or scratch behind their ears. No dingo jokes please!
My baby, Pacey (yes, that Pacey. I was a teenager).
We caught a ferry into Manly (beach suburb) from the city - it's super easy and cheaper than a taxi, and you get to see lots of the city on the way. It's so beautiful. My best friends live in Manly so KC and I caught the ferry out to see them.
My best friend recently had a baby girl, and I stole her for cuddles all night until her dad came and picked her up.
We ate (and drank) at Hugo's and it was amazing - the food is well priced for Sydney, it's literally right there as soon as you get off the ferry, the view is amazing and the drinks are delish. Of course I didn't take any photos of the food or drinks, I suck at this.
I planned a surprise trip to Cairns to see the Great Barrier Reef and I almost made it the whole way without telling KC and then my Nana ruined it when we were in Melbourne. I forgive her though.
We went on a sunset cruise with Green Island Tours which was tons of fun, though it did get dark fast, it was nice, kind of like a date night. Afterwards we ate at Dundees which I think is worth a trip to Cairns on it's own. Amazeballs. Again, no photos.
The next day we did an all day Great Barrier Reef tour (same company) - it was a ton of fun! The weather was crazy that day, the wind was like 40 miles an hour which made for a crazy boat ride - you can't tell but it was insane. We are holding on for dear life in these photos, and I learned my husband gets a wee bit sea sick.
The waves were going over the boat - see the window?
Green Island is amazing and beautiful. It was so crazy windy getting off the boat, you have to hold on so tight to the rail until you get into the safety of the trees which block the wind completely.
We also did a glass bottom boat tour, which was fun and you could see all the fishies and coral and we even saw a bunch of turtles coming up for air. If the weather had been nicer, we would have snorkeled.
Seriously, crazy winds.
Time flies, and we're at the last day of the trip. I was luckily able to meet my best friend for some coffee early in the morning. And, thank goodness otherwise we wouldn't have got our obligatory cliche touristy photos that I wanted.
I am obsessed, absolutely obsessed with this little beauty. She is the best baby - so calm and chill and happy and beautiful.
Look at that smile!
Don't worry - I'm not getting baby fever, she spit up on me 3 times and I smelled like breast milk until we got home.
My dog, Pacey, and my brother's dog Zeus.
My mum & brothers.
I am the only one in my family who knows how to smile, seriously? WTF guys.
That's it guys - I know, tons of pics. I didn't want to split it up - hope you enjoyed!
Breathtaking photos, Kris! I loved all of them, your gorgeous home & your gorgeous family. They actually made me homesick for you. Missed you tons while you were away, but I would totally understand if you didn't want to come back!
ReplyDelete<3Sam
i went to australia 5 years ago last week, and i miss it so! loved seeing your trip back home--made me wanna go back!
ReplyDeleteOh your photo's make me miss Australia so much, I can't wait to go back for my holiday in December. I LOVE Featherdale Wildlife park, we went there on the spur of the moment and it was so much nicer than going to the zoo! Your photos are gorgeous! :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun trip. All the zoo animals are too cute. No fair on the Dingo jokes though! ;) Glad you got to spend so much time with family. That boat ride would have made me seasick!
ReplyDeleteOPTIMUS PRIME AND BUMBLEBEE!!!! Sooooooooooooooo jealous!!!!!!!! Autobots... ROLLOUT!
ReplyDeleteSorry. Had to.
Anyways, your pictures are wonderful!
Looks like you had an amazing time! Love that blue bib necklace. XO
ReplyDeleteI am so jealous of your trip! Your pictures are absolutely amazing! I'm definitely jealous of your zoo trip. Although you made me totally sad about the wombat thing. I think wombats are the cutest little things and now I'm slightly scared of them LOL!
ReplyDelete<3, Pamela
sequinsandseabreezes.blogspot.com
Haha just when I was about to say looks like someone has baby fever!, you said "dont worry Im not getting baby fever" LOL....
ReplyDeleteThose are awesome memories though, looks like you had a great time!
Wow what a fun trip!! I want a wallaby for a pet!! So cute!! Australia is definitely on my bucket list!
ReplyDeleteLooks like a great trip! So glad you got to spend time with your family and friends.
ReplyDeleteI have always wanted to visit Australia. It is on my "one day" list!
It looks like you had a ton of fun!!!!
ReplyDeleteWow just WOW! That looks soooo amazing and now I want to go to Australia even if its just to see the animals lol :)
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, how cute are you and your husband? It's a little gross, actually.
ReplyDeleteSecond, thank you for sharing all of these pictures!!! It looks likes your trip home was amazing and fun and wonderful.
I love all of the pictures, I enjoyed them! You 2 are so cute and it looks like a fabulous trip home for sure. All the pictures of you 2 and the animals were precious. I'd love to visit there one day :)
ReplyDeleteSuch great pics and you are beaming in all of them! Sounds like a great trip home!
ReplyDeleteAhhh you can tell how happy your mom/mum is to see you in that first picture! So glad you shared all of these pictures it looks like such an amazing trip- it's always so hard to squeeze in seeing everyone you want to see when you're only home for a short period of time, but it looks like you got to see quite a few people which is always nice! Also, I seriously want your wardrobe- I love all of your outfits! And I love that you named your dog Pacey ;)
ReplyDeleteLooks like a wonderful trip! The photos make me want to visit Australia really bad :) The Cockatoo pictures cracked me up, and Pacey looks like such a sweet dog! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteOK - why did I get teary eyed when you were hugging your old-faced-beautiful-dog? Childhood pets... my heart aches.
ReplyDeleteLooks so wonderful. I was so excited to see your pics.
& I got sea sick just LOOKING at the boat & those waves. UGH!
Yep.. spit up is a great birth control.
I want a koala ... just one...
I didn't realize what dingo's actually looked like. If they're not a dog, what are they actually? Like a coyote?
I so laughed at your hubs where it looks like he's just pouring the grass on the roo's head...
Welcome back... again :)
These are such great photos and I love how much you love where you were born and spent the majority of your life! It's such a beautiful country and it's on my list of must visit places!! I love that your mom was in a full on winter coat and your hubby was wearing shorts! The pups are adorable!! :)
ReplyDeleteI love all these pictures! Australia looks so beautiful!!! But cold?! Wtf! Kangaroos and Koala’s are so cute! A dingo?! Never heard of that! Weird! Lol. A sunset cruise sounds so nice! I would have totally gotten sick on that windy day tho! Yuck! So glad you had a great trip and visiting with friends and family!
ReplyDeleteYour trip looks so fabulous!!!! I will visit there one day
ReplyDeleteLoving all these pics!!! Looks like you had an amazing time!! I want to pet a kangaroo!!!! Australia is definitely on the top if my list to visit! It looks so beautiful! How cute is your dog?!
ReplyDelete<3 Shannon
Upbeatsoles.blogspot.com
Yaaas finally I've been dying for your recap haha! So many things- KC and the cockatoo I died. And you had a dog named Pacey yes!!!!! I used to wish my name was Joey (that Joey) and when we moved to a new city in middle school I thought about telling people it was my nickname... Such great fun pix! Can't believe your nana ruined the surprise!
ReplyDeleteThere are so many things I want to say....but I'm sure we will continue via email. Seriously those koala bears I was to squeeze the crap out of them and then I'd probably be deported immediately. Your sunglasses are fabulous btw oh and I see you suffer from the same thing as I do....your man looks amazing in every picture no matter if they just got off a 20 hr flight.....
ReplyDeleteLOVE all of your pictures! And I am super jealous of all the cool places you went and that you basically have lived there and got to enjoy all those things growing up! :)
ReplyDeleteLove seeing your home! Those pics of the animals are too cute and made me officially jealous plus the fact that you have a dog named Pacey proves that we have to be friends. I am IN LOVE with Joshua Jackson and was always Team Pacey!
ReplyDeleteI loved all your pics! I can't imagine being that far away from my fam, that must be hard. I would love to visit Australia someday, actually I'd love to run a marathon there. :)
ReplyDeleteThe kangaroos are the cutest things ever!!
Aw, I wanted to cry seeing the pictures of you loving on your doggy. What an amazing trip and I'm so glad your husband got to see where you are from! Australia is on my bucket list for sure!
ReplyDeleteLove this!!! I love all the pics and spent sooo much time watching them! I cant wait to visit and I hope you get to visit again soon. Also you look lovely in all the pics and so happy to be home :) Glad you enjoyed it to the max!
ReplyDeleteso jealous you got to play with a kangaroo!!! i want to do that so bad!! and that koala, ADORABLE!!
ReplyDeleteIt looks like you had a BLAST. You fit in so much in a short time. The animal pictures are my favorite :)
ReplyDeleteGorgeous pictures!! Thanks so much for sharing! I bet your friends and family were SO excited to see you and it looks like your husband had an awesome first trip to Australia! That Wallaby is too freaking cute! xx
ReplyDeleteNOTHING like coming home. you're darling, as always. i want to go to australia, as always. :)
ReplyDeletexoxo
welltraveledwife.com
What a fun trip home! And now Australia is at the top of my visit list....Ok, confession it was already at the top of my list but the fact it's your home makes me extremely happy :D
ReplyDeleteYou seemed to make the most of the time you had! I traveled around Australia for a month and just loved it, especially Kangaroo Island, Barossa Valley for wine tasting, and getting a tour of the Outback!
ReplyDeleteWow, that looks like an awesome vacation and time well spent with family and friends. And that sweet baby... awwww:) It's so funny that it's cool over there now!
ReplyDeletelooks like a GREAT TRIP!! Looks like ya'll really soaked up EVERY minute!! :) love the little 'roos!! :)
ReplyDeleteWhooaaa! I have to go to that zoo, so I can feed the kangaroos! That looks like such an amazing experience!...btw where did you get the turquoise necklace? It's super cute, and you're seriously making me want to get a red scarf for the fall!...but yes, back to the kangaroos! That looks like so much fun!
ReplyDeleteOh - I loved all the pictures!!! So very awesome!!
ReplyDeleteThe first year we were married, my husband got a trip to Australia - I was a little pissed that he left me in Kansas by myself while he went since I had told him it was my number one place to go (he is a military pilot).
Glad you got to see your family and so many friends!!!
You are just so damn cute... I want to squeeze you! And the pictures of you and Pacey... so sweet! :D
ReplyDeleteGreat photos! OMG is it November yet? I'll be going to Sydney for the first time, so this is great for ideas of things we can do, but we'll only be there a couple of days. Is the barrier reef worth it? I'd thought about doing it, but the places I found online were crazy expensive.
ReplyDeleteLooks like an amazing trip - Makes me want to get to Australia even more than I did before!
ReplyDeleteSuper jealous about the kangaroos - I want to see one soooo bad!
The pics of you and Pacey made me tear up!
I love the pictures! I think my favorite part is the commentary on the animals lol. I'm glad you had such a good trip home.
ReplyDeleteI love it all! Especially Pacey and your "zoo" tips. :)
ReplyDeleteWow, so many great pictures and what an amazing trip. You look so glowing and happy and content there. I was giggling at the bird causing a freak-out by saying hello. I had an experience just like that with a bird. You just don't really expect animals to talk to you and it's something else when you feel like they're starting a conversation!
ReplyDeleteGina
You look so happy and so pretty in all those pictures, and it looks like you and KC had a great time! Glad you got to share your home with him and visit loved ones :) oh and thanks for teaching me so much about Australian animals ;)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures of your family ... Pacey looks like our Bailey. You're adorable!
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you had this time with your friends and family --- clearly it was magical and memorable and marvelous and many other words that still won't do it justice….
ReplyDeleteLooks like you had an amazing trip! You guys did some really cool activities. I love all the animal pictures!
ReplyDeleteLove all these photos! Looks like an awesome trip. Now I want to go to Australia! And the pictures with Pacey are so sweet!
ReplyDeleteLooks like a fun trip! I can't imagine living so far from home and family! That has to be so tough. The photos of you and your dog are so sweet. And lastly I am in love with your striped shirt. :)
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful (you and the scenery)! I always thought I would like to go to Australia, but now that I know I can feed an ice cream cone filled with grass to a kangaroo?! I'm definitely in.
ReplyDeleteIt really looks like you had a great visit home. I now want to go and feed a kangaroo.
ReplyDeleteI know it's hard to be away from home and family and friends so I'm really glad you got to go home and looks like you had a blast. Hopefully you can go again soon...
I MUST FEED BABY KANGAROOS SOMEDAY! :):)
ReplyDeleteYou are seriously the cutest! It's crazy to me that it is winter over there - you've got me missing my scarfs and boots :) So glad you had a wonderful trip back home and got to see so many friends and family. I can only imagine how hard it can be leaving so far from them! Hopefully you'll be able to get back again soon!
ReplyDeleteHahaha I loved all the commentary from the pseudo-zoo. "do as I say, not as I do". Australia sounds amazing!!
ReplyDeleteThose pictures were amazing and such a good recap. It looks like you had a wonderful trip and the grass ice cream cone is like the cutest thing in the world. Also, I knew exactly which Pacey you're talking about. We live near a town called Dawson Creek and every time I drive through it I imagine Dawson, Joey and the gang. I can't imagine living so far away from home, must be very tough and it's lovely you got to go back if even for only a short trip
ReplyDeleteYou're saying I'm not going to be able to hold a koala?! This is depressing news!
ReplyDeleteI think you had enjoyed it very much. Animals
ReplyDelete