Ok, sorry for the long delay on the blogging, just now getting back to civilization with internet access. So last Monday I set out on what ended up being a 7 day camping adventure deep in the heart of the Australian bush, and what an event it was. I met tons of great people along the way from all over the world; I met people from England, Turkey, Germany, The Netherlands, India, and a few local Aussies as well. I traveled to the Twelve Apostles , The huge rocks in the water pictured above somewhere, with a group of these travelers on Tuesday, and then set out on my own to continue camping. The next night I chased down a small herd of 6ft kangaroos through the wilderness, but Wednesday was the unforgettable day. As I was setting up camp about 15miles in the forest all by myself, I look down to see a 4ft Tiger snake slither next to my shoe, and so in keeping with my values, I grab the camera and long stick and let the adventure begin. Turns out the Tiger snake is one of the worlds deadliest ( no surprise for me), but what I didn't know was that it is one of the only snakes in the world that will aggressively attack and chase you instead of trying to get away.

So, as I am poking it with my very long stick, it stands up about 8 inches off the ground, flattens its neck like a cobra, and starts coming at me, so I put the camera on the ground and you can see what I was seeing as I was running for cover like a small school girl.

I also found out later on that night as I was paranoid-ly shining my flashlight on the ground every few seconds that the ground was also covered with scorpions...I left first thing the next morning in quite a hurry. But not before coming across Bull Ants that are almost an inch long.

At the next campsite I came upon a heavenly creature, a big koala just sitting in the road, and after deciding against putting him in the backseat and taking him, I feel we shared quite a beautiful moment, although he was probably just a little high off all the eucalyptus, still it was special.

The trip will definitely be a highlight of my time spent here in Oz, as well as the shower I had after going a week without one.

To all/any faithful readers, sorry for the long posting delay, been fairly busy, yet not really, probably more just on the lazy side here lately. I am still alive and well and have some pics to post soon of all the interesting things I've been getting into in Melbourne, so stay tuned, they are coming soon!

The past week or so has been pretty relaxed, I've had the pleasure of eating at several restaurants that I've never tried before, the latest was yesterday eating chinese for a brunch meal..a far cry from IHOP pancakes, and so much better. The serving stlye was called Yum-cha, basically they just wheel around carts of chinese stuff and you pick whatever you want, I just smiled and nodded and hoped that Tony would pick something good because I couldn't understand a word they were speaking, which was composed of roughly 98.3% chinese and just a dash of English, but some of the better food I've eating while in Melbourne nonetheless.

While waiting to eat we walked around the city a bit, and saw a street performer doing an act, so we sat down to check it out. Well, by the time we had sat down he had changed into a superman costume, and picked me out of the crowd to be a "volunteer", which meant that I got the pleasure of laying on the ground with 3 other people, head to toe, in a line and let Superman do backflips over the top of us; I was at the end which meant I had the highest probability to get my face kicked in by him losing his balance, but luckily it went off without a hitch, and I was quite entertained.
But I think the thing I have found most interesting is people's reaction when they hear I am from Texas, it is always 1 of 2 reactions. Superman displayed the first reaction...giggling. He asked where I was from and didn't wait for my answer before starting talking, then stopped midsentence and laughed... why can't someone go, "hmm, what a fine and reputable place, congratulations on being from the Lone Star State!". So if people don't giggle, they will get very snobby and say, "oh. hmm." and I have to explain that George Bush isn't my father and that I am not the cause of the war, then things are usually fine after that. But 99% of everyone just giggles, which is hilarious.
A few nights ago, I found myself in an "alternative" club, which in reality just meant an "Emo Hangout", I felt a little out of place in my American Eagle fleece pullover and trendy hat...I had no emotional combover, no skinny legged-girl jeans, no mascara on or enough piercings, but it was the people watching zenith of a lifetime, so I had quite the time.

Other than that, I've really just been taking in the fact that I'm on vacation and smoking cigars in the evenings and enjoying good conversation over a few glasses of wine, and playing my new guitar that I bought, which is phenominal..and cheap. It was cheaper just to buy a new guitar vs. getting mine shipped over here, so I justified my new purchase as a souvenir...I feel good about it. Plus I get to share Fishbate with the world now, and if you don't know what that is, either consider yourself lucky or just ask Matt Curtis about it.