The Big Apple

At the beginning of January I took a trip to New York City to visit Betsy and Greg. I was a little worried about being on my own for most of the time since they were both going to be working during the days, but I ended up having a great time exploring the city on my own. There was plenty to do during the day to entertain myself, and then in the evenings we went out for dinner and saw the sights near their apartment in the West Village. They were the most amazing hosts ever and really wanted to have the full "I'm on vacation" experience with me. :) Thanks so much, you guys!



I flew the red eye, and after a restless sleep and a little bit of air-sickness I woke up to see this. What an amazing start to a vacation...





These photos were taken just a few blocks away from Betsy and Greg's apartment on my first night.





On the second night we went to one of Betsy and Greg's favorite places, a Cuban restaurant called Boca Chica. Mmmm.... After dinner we walked around and went to a really delicious pastry shop for dessert, and then to the famous Strand Books to see the miles and miles of books they sell.

During the days I spent most of my time wandering around by foot and on the subway. I only got lost on the trains one time! I called Greg for help but figured it out before he had to give me advice. :)

One day I decided to go to MOMA, especially since I really enjoy going to museums on my own more than with others, and I didn't make it there on my last New York trip.



This was a cool exhibition that took up a huge wall. I took a lot of photos at the museum, but looking back on them, they seem pretty boring as pictures. So I won't bother. ;)



Looking out the window at MOMA. On this day it was foggy and little rainy, but it was actually sunny and relatively warm the rest of the time I was there, which was so lucky!



One thing I really looked forward to on my vacation was a big night out dancing, and luckily I got my wish! We went out with a few of Greg's friends in Chelsea and stayed out late (I wish I could say it was all night, but we definitely didn't make it). We lucked out and didn't end up having to pay a cover, which is really rare, so I knew it would be a good night.



Kelsey came to the pre-funk at Betsy's place!!



The New Yorkers!



Big dance party, Night At The Roxbury style



The next day was a little rough, so we drove to Brooklyn for some pizza. Last time I went to New York, i was INCREDIBLY disappointed in the pizza, which all seemed to taste like Sbarro (in the mall...) so I was ready for some real New York pizza this time.



There we go... Does that make your mouth water or what? It was just as good as it looks.



Greg and I at Grimaldi's



Brooklyn Bridge



LOOK AT THAT CITY!!!



Obligatory Central Park photo... Unfortunately my camera battery died right when I got to Central Park, so this is really all I got. I went to visit Isis, a friend from high school, and we walked around the park as the sun went down.



I found this place incredibly disturbing. I saw it on my last day, when we walked down the street to get some amazing New York bagels (bagels, unlike pizza, are something New Yorkers just can't seem to mess up on. They are all delicious!)



I ended my trip in Harlem, with a lunch at a Soul Food restaurant and shopping at H&M with Betsy, Vidhi, and Kelsey. It was the perfect end to a trip, minus the mad rush back to Betsy's to grab my bags and frantically get to the airport. When I got to my plane they were already almost done boarding! I almost get stranded in New York... which would have been perfectly fine with me.

Australia Flashback...

Hey everyone! I wanted to start a blog where I could post pictures and stories from all my adventures so that they'd be easily accessible. I am going from working 60 hours a week to 20 starting in a couple of weeks, and with that decrease in hours comes an increase in my travels! I plan on taking some smaller US trips in March, and then a 3 week trip to Egypt in April. Now you can all see what I'm up to by following this blog...

That being said, let me recap a major trip from last year.


I know there are several people who never actually saw my photos from Australia. I went in the fall of 2007 from September 20th to October 5th. It was an amazing trip, where I finally got to visit my friend Nicola, who I have been wanting to visit for several years. I flew into Sydney, where we stayed with Nicola's boyfriend's brother, Manu. He lives right near Australia's famous Bondi Beach, where we unfortunately didn't spend much time, due to the weather. However, there were a few nice days, and I was able to get some good pictures. The photo at the top of this page is Bondi Beach on a semi-stormy day. There were still plenty of surfers out (all the hard-core ones), as there always are in Australia.


Bondi Beach on our last day in Sydney (and the nicest day, of course!)

The Sydney Opera House!


Me and Nicola


Beautiful Sydney Harbor

So, after 3 days in Sydney, Nicola, her boyfriend Tia, and I began our road trip to the Gold Coast, where they both live. We spent our first night in a little coastal town called Port McQuarrie, where we played pool with some locals, had some dinner, and tried to sleep in the van in a loud parking lot on the beach where a "party bus" was also parked for the night...



This ship was in the harbor near the tavern where we played pool.
This is what we woke up to! We played in the water for awhile, and then continued on our way to Angourie, in the fishing town of Yamba. There we met up with some of Tia's friends, one of whose mom hosted us in her huge rental house for four gorgeous days. It was amazing! In the mornings we would go to the beach and play/surf, come home to a huge homemade breakfast, then play some games before going back to the beach. Lots of drinking, eating, and indulgences with lots of good people.


This photo was taken on the first night in Angourie, before the rest of the people came to the house to stay with us.


Looking down on one of the beaches we frequented


Nicola jumping from a high rock wall


We fed a lot of kookaburras!


This possum was hanging out on our deck one night. Australian possums are much cuter than their American counterparts...

After 4 days in the sun, we continued on our way up to the Gold Coast, stopping to take pics at Lenox Head. We also stopped at Byron Bay and ate sorbet. Mmmm...

The rest of the trip was spent on the Gold Coast, at either Nicola's or Tia's mom's apartment, in the Broadbeach district. The days were full of surfing, tennis, games, bowling, partying, and relaxing. Life is much more laid-back in Australia, and I really embraced that lifestyle while I was there.


I'm on a Steve Irwin ride in the mall :)


The view from Tia's mom's apartment in Broadbeach


A late night on the Gold Coast...


We went hiking at this waterfall one day


Feeding/petting kangaroos at a wildlife refuge!!


Yes, I did get to hold a koala. It's actually pooping in this picture, no joke!


A sunset at Broadbeach


This is a view of the Gold Coast from the top of a fancy hotel


Tia and Nicola, my gracious hosts!

Going to Australia has always been one of my dreams, so I am thrilled to have been able to go. Next time I go back, I'd like to go during their Spring or Summer, so that it's exceptionally hot.

Hopefully on my future trips I will be able to post photos and stories as I go, so that I don't have to leave out so many great details-- but you get the gist.

Hope you enjoyed this!