Settling In.

So I've been living in Australia for a little over a week and been getting settled in. I'm finally getting on a regular sleep cycle, and getting used to always hanging left.

The convenient location (beach/train) and the people in my apartment are making this an awesome housing situation. There are 2 Germans, 1 Austrian, 1 Irish, 1 Australian, 2 Chinese, and 3 other Americans staying in the apartment complex.

Only one drawback so far... Australia is expensive. I paid $17 for a 6 pack of beer. I'm using all my cheapscaping  skills acquired during college to make grocery shopping more affordable. I have been able to make two awesome affordable dinners; Seafood pasta and kangaroo burger.

My first Australian beer..... $17.




Seafood pasta. Cobbled this beast together for about $5.




KANGAROO MEAT PIE !




Our Kitchen.





Surfing update.

I have a surfboard now. A 7 foot 6 inch mini-mal (between a longboard and shortboard). The first day I "surfed" I paddled out to the other surfers and sat around for about 45min waiting to "Catch" my first wave. Nothing ever happened. But at least I can call myself a surfer, right?

Since then I've been learning in the white wash and catching some smaller waves. I'm getting better at getting up and am almost consistent at it. The majority of my surfing endeavors consist of me getting thrashed around by waves while trying to paddle out.


Taking a break at Nobby's beach.





In the past week I've also gone on my first climbing trip. I meet up with some guys from the newcastle mountaineering club (which I'll be hanging out with a good bit) and went climbing in the Nelson's bay area (1 hour north).

I've never climbed along the shoreline, so this was a spectacular new experience for me. It was very relaxing and a good way to spend the afternoon (except for the occasional slippery rock). Even the approach to the climbing area was a blast.


The Approach:






The Climbing:





Yesterday a huge Rain/Thunderstorm hit Newcastle. I was waiting on a train to get back into town, but the Trains shut down due to flash floods. They shuttled us to the nearest bus station. We shortly found out that the buses were also useless due to the flooding and huge traffic jams. Soooo we were sent back to the train station where we waited until the trains resumed. *Note: Australia and flooding don't like each other.

That night after the storm me and some roommates got bored and decided to go explore Newcastle at night. Below is what we saw. Some awesome beaches and views at night.

Weird statue on the way to the beach.




Newcastle beach at night.




The view to the south of Newcastle from "The Hill"  (Everything was very misty due to the storm).




Not sure??




Til next time.

Tasmania anyone ?!?!?!




-Pieter