April 25, 2009

Tea time

Right now, I'm on my layover in Boston, finishing up some homework and drinking a cup of Tea.

I have to admit that I have a huge love for all coffees, expresso drinks and tea. Tea might be the overall winner of my love but most mornings a good cup of coffee helps to get me going. I go through stages however where I crave one over the other... I think my coffee cravings are lessening and tea is coming back in full force. Maybe it's the warmer weather approaching that is helping the shift, I'm not sure...

Anyways, today I decided to go with English Breakfast Tea. I drink it the "Aussie way" with milk and sugar. Taking a deep breathe before the first sip I was immediately brought back to where my love of tea started- in Australia.

I don't think that I have mentioned before how my love of travel actually started... when I was applying for colleges in Cincinnati, Ohio all of my friends were staying locally. Not wanting to be left out, I applied to all the schools that all of my friends did. I toured schools all over Ohio and into Kentucky but the one school I thought I would go to put me on a waiting list. In that time I toured Ohio State and fell in love. It was big and full of lots of different people and after my tour- I was sold! I felt that I took an easy road but not straying too far from home so my junior year I took my savings and decided I was going to study abroad for a semester in Sydney, Australia. And so I went. It was my first time over sea's and I went knowing no one. In turn, I fell in love with the city, the country, found some amazing friends and really learned a lot about who I was. I also learned how much I love Tea! :)

So, sitting here with my English Breakfast Tea, I remembered all that was my life in Sydney and decided to share some of my old photos from that trip. It will be 6 years in July since I got bitten by the travel bug and I wouldn't have it any other way!


First day in Australia, straight off the plane for orientation in Melbourne.

On the the amazing views of the Australia sky we experienced.

The Bridge... They have one of the 4 bridge climbs in the World and I did it. The view at the top was amazing!!!!

The Sydney Opera House. One of the most beautiful buildings I have ever seen and an amazing area around it. Good restaurants, nice running area, parks, the Rocks, Markets... just amazing!


Koala at the Sydney Zoo.

Here's a view of the sunset behind the city on the Ferry back from the Zoo!

Hiking the Blue Mountains outside of Sydney.

Playing on Sand Dunes in Port Stephens. We went 4 wheeling and tried to sand surf down the hills. (I preferred to roll down and climb back up)

MY best friends I made during the trip. Some amazing people!

Yup, I had to do it, I went Sky Diving...

Spring Break we took a boat sailing around the Whitsunday Islands. Gorgeous!!!!

An underwater photo from snorkeling at the Great Barrier Reef! This is a MUST DO!!!

Bondi Beach. I have never lived somewhere where the beach was only a bus ride away. I loooooved it. First warm beach day in Spring and it was paccccked.

We were the for the Rugby World Cup. Go Wallabies. :)

This was my home. I really felt like I belonged in this city. I sometimes remember something from Sydney and long to go back. I miss it like I miss a friend.

So, now tell me- how did you get bit by the travel bug and where was your first adventure?

3 comments:

The Flying Pinto said...

Wow, thanks for sharing that piece of your life: ) What amazing pictures! I also wanted to add that I am from Boston...so just wanted to say, "hope you had a nice visit." Bostons also a great city and growing up in my big Irish family that's what we drink allll day hot tea with milk and sugar: ) It's a huge comfort drink for me!

Sherri said...

Love your pictures of Sydney. It's a great city! How fun to have studied there. I added you to my blog roll. I'd love to showcase you Etsy pics on my blog some time. Great pic of Venice!

HightonRidley said...

It has to be tea, ever time!!

Cheers,
Mark
www.highton-ridley.co.uk