Todaloo Kangaroo!

Rumor has it that I'm back stateside. The rumor is true. However, my body has not received the memo and is still functioning in its Aussie ways...

After 36hrs in transit I am home. My last few weeks and even days in Eildon and Australia were a blast, and yet flew by. I left the country having missed out on saying proper goodbyes to many I care about and was in denial that I was headed home, until I stepped out of the plane in Portland, OR, USA.

Sunset in Eildon, Victoria, Australia

The Pondage, Eildon

The Pondage as the sunset. One of my last few nights in Eildon.

The day before I flew home, my mate Amber and I drove to Melbourne for a day in the city. We went shopping and endured the soggy Melbourne weather. That evening we took the tram to Carlton to meet my mates Mark & Kellie, who graciously met me and took me in, when I first arrived in Australia 10 months prior, for dinner on Lygon Street, in the Italian precinct.

On our way back to our hotel, Amber and I escaped the tram to get some fresh air and enjoy the city lights. We ducked in a few shops and stopped to pose by a special birthday sign, that we like to think someone arranged to be put up for her, since her birthday was coming up.

Mesha & Amber celebrating in Melbourne

Then next morning came quickly. I needed to be at Melbourne Airport by 7:30am and so we left the hotel by a quarter till, heading the advice of Mark and Kellie that the traffic could be ugly at that time. While it did back up the closer we got to the airport, we still made it to the airport in plenty of time.

As we arrived at the departures drop-off area, the sunrise was reflecting in the glass windows of the terminal. It was quite stunning. We attempted to stop and look at it, but was hurried along by traffic control, despite us being stuck in traffic behind numerous other cars. 

As I got out, and grabbed my bags we said our goodbyes and I was off...

It didn't take long for me to check in, and soon enough I heard them calling the final call for my flight...and so I boarded the plane. Once on board we were delayed a bit, and so as I typed a few last minute goodbye texts, I sat there, realizing - this was it - I WAS headed home...

Not long into the flight I got up to get a drink. While in the rear of the plane, helping myself to some Apple Juice, the plane took on a little turbulence. I was quickly ushered to the nearest seat, and asked to buckle up --- this was in first class. And this is where I enjoyed the remainder of the flight from! It was superb. Despite the comfortable and spacious seat that fully reclined, I barely slept on the plane, so when touching down in LA, I was pretty exhausted.

I left Melbourne, Australia at 9:35am, on Wednesday, May 25. I landed in Los Angeles, CA, USA at 6:55am, Wednesday, May 25. Needless to say I was disoriented, tired, and quite confused.

I cleared customs and headed to the domestic terminal to take my next flight to Oregon. A few hours later, I was outside the PDX airport, awaiting my dad...it was a very strange feeling.

I have been home for nearly 2 days now. And things still are very weird. It will take time adjusting to this new, old, way of life and to get over the 17hr time difference that still has me a bit jet-lagged. But with that said, I look forward to a summer at home with all of you...

Things to adjust to:

1. Driving on the Right side of the road (instead of the left)

2. Having people refer to Bell peppers as Peppers (rather than Capsicums)

3. Central Heating & Insulated homes (instead of cold homes with no/little heating)

4. American Money - no pockets full of $1, $2, .05, .10, .20, and .50 cent coins weighing my pants down

5. Not having an endless supply of Vegemite at my disposal (I actually like it now)

6. Not having the option to eat Kangaroo, one of the leanest and most sustainable meats to eat (which I also did like)

7. Not being called the "God Damn Yank" (was used as a term of endearment, but still)

8. A Society where there in more emphasis on work than play (sadly)

9. A more uptight society (Aussies are VERY laid back)

10. Being able to text and call people without worrying I wont have credit on my phone (any calls made, ate up my minutes like no other when using my pre-paid phone in Australia)

11. Things being a little cheaper... (Australia is 2 to 3 times as expensive)

12. Not seeing kangaroos on my daily commute to work (they usually lined the driveway)

13. Not having to be on "wombat" patrol when driving at night

14. Missing my loved ones there
15. Getting to spend time with my loved ones here
16. Being able to DRY my clothes via a dryer if desired
17. Having stores/shops open at all hours, not just till 4pm
18. Not seeing men in stubby shorts (please tell me this is still true)
19. Seeing people with tattoos other than ones of the Southern Cross
20. Seeing Spruce, Evergreens, & Douglass Firs, instead of Gum Trees

In good time,  all will be doable...I'M HAPPY TO BE HOME. and look forward to returning in the future back to Oz. 

Shedding Tears

By the end of my time at OEG, I was happy to be moving on. I think that while I enjoyed having a mind-numbing job for the time being, that ultimately, I need to work where I feel I am needed, appreciated, and challenged in my daily duties and responsibilities. Which is something I have decided that the Shed or any brainless job can't quite offer me.

Looking back on the experience of working with OEG, it was a great one. I learned heaps about the Aussie style of Outdoor Education, about gear and servicing it, and in the importance of building strong communities and team building within a workplace. What pains me more than ever in leaving OEG is not the longing to hang a tent, or with drawls from pressure washing backpacks, or unfulfilled desire to fold overgear, but having left many good mates behind there. The friendships I made at OEG are valued way beyond the professional experience I have gained while there.

I look forward to keeping in touch with these mates and invite any of them to visit Portland, or where ever I end up. And I definitely plan to return to OZ to see them...hopefully by then, they will have graduated as well. :)

Time to do metho! Long sleeves and goggles required...

Mesha and Shakilah taking a tea break on a Friday eve

The 3 Malayas: Amber, Mesha, and Shakilah, hanging out between returns

Mesha & Amber: Suited up in overgear to wash backpacks

With a change in how we operated down at the Shed, my last few days at work were quite enjoyable once again. Perhaps it was partially because I knew I was leaving, or perhaps it was because my mates and I had a good laugh during these days...not even flatulence, a dragon, or a lack of bickys could make us frown for too long...regardless, we had fun.

The sunsetting from OEG National Base

The Sunset on my LAST Friday Night of Returns...

The last time I headed down the long, dirt, driveway of the OEG National Base, I was actually in the driver's seat...as I drove down it, toward the highway, back to our house, I can honestly say, I didn't look back...but I did wave goodbye at the the Kangaroos that lines the driveway, as if I was part of a parade...and smiled as I turned toward town.

My Big Backyard

Eildon is lovely. Small, country-like, and did I mention, small. Not a lot to do, not a lot to see, beyond the natural beauty that surrounds you...and thus living alone can be awfully lonesome.

My first 2 weeks in Eildon back in February, I "lived" at the Golden Trout Hotel/Motel. I think the name says it all...not ideal at all, especially since the room lacked a place to cook and any feeling of home.

After that, I moved to a little cabin along the Goulburn River, just outside town. The cabin was being rented out by a mate of a mate of mine. The renter didn't really live there though (just needed a place in case of being called out by the DSE) so he was happy to let me stay there for a fraction of the price I was paying at the hotel. It had a kitchen, so it was an easy decision to give it a go. In the long run it was still just as lonely, if not even more so living out there - as it isolated me from the city center, and made my commute to work twice as long...

our home,  with views of the pondage

Luckily though for me, I make my bed daily...After just having moved into the cabin, a new co-worker (and now dear mate), Amber, asked if I was still looking for a room. She said she just moved into a new house with her partner, and would be happy to show me it, in case I was interested in moving in with them.

the roses around the house ALWAYS were lovely smelling

The perfect spot to chill after a long day at work...

Upon looking at it - I was sure I wanted to move in. It was the nicest house in Eildon and was not only close to the city center, but practically next door to a few other mates' of mine and it was only a short distance around the pondage to work. I was sold based on the location and on the idea of having roommates. Amber was sold on me moving in because I confessed that I make my bed daily...

My amazing flatmates,  Amber & Bea (obviously they're very serious people)

Bea & Amber, at Amber's Birthday Party - an absolute blast!

Amber & I. I think she was a better cook, but I always had the bigger appetite!

Amber & Mesha ( it was great to be able to take the piss out of her & still get along!)

Mesha enlightening the Palm, with S'mores... two thumbs up

Just like that I was in, and from there grew we grew not only into being great flatmates, but great mates...I am lucky that Amber picked me to move in and treasure the time I spent with her and Bea. They are two of the most caring and compassionate people I know. Many laughs, meals, and memories were shared at 24 S. Crescent, and of  course in our BIG BACKYARD. I will miss these girls heaps...until we meet again (perhaps in Oregano, or perhaps somewhere else...) But again, for sure.

Other mates at the house included frequent visits from the animal world. Birds, Spiders, and Roos alike joined is in the backyard which we were happy to share.

Just loved this! Wild Parrots viewed fro our kitchen!!!

Backyard buddies often included birds...

Our mates, Charlie & Johnny

Amber's Kookaburra, Kooky loved her...

Cockatoo came in flocks, and could be heard on the roof often. 

A  Huntsman Spider & a snail...I wonder who won?

Search for the Tiger

Come morning I, as well as my tent, was frozen. A cold night, meant I slept very little. I tried to burrow down in my sleeping bag, but as the only one in the tent, and without all my personal gear, I suffered from cold feet for a majority of the night.

I did not realize just how cold it was outside however, until I crawled out of my tent and saw the frost and ice on the tent. A fellow camper had a glowing fire going that caught my eyes. I made my mind up then and there, that no matter what, I was going to make friends with him and warm up by his fire - even if it meant we would not be departing from the campsite at 7am like we planned. Simply put - I was just that cold and wasn't doing anything until I warmed up.

By the Lake

After it had warmed up a bit - the ice began to melt 

Sunrise. Sunrise...

By the river

Dew this morning was more like ice...

At the campsite that morning we did indeed get to warm up by the fire, and how lovely was it. Slowly I regained feeling in my toes and fingers and was feeling much happier and ready to conquer Craddle Mt.

When we got to the visitor's center we picked up a map of the area, seized up our route and headed off. To our delight, the trek took us across a portion of the Overland Track, the famous track that many thru-hikers camp along, which traverses Tasmania. 

The 3 amigos overlooking Dove Lake L-R Mesha, Gwenne, Manuela

view of Craddle Mt.

Mesha with Dove Lake in the background

Craddle Mt. again...

view from half way up the summit of Craddle Mt.

With the sun out and temperatures rising - it was definitely the makings of a fantastic day! It was often hard to put the camera down and to just take it all in...Along with the views, I enjoyed talking to other hikers along the way. Many people we met were from Melbourne, visiting Tazzy on holiday for a long weekend, but one couple strangely enough where from Coeur d'alene, Idaho, which is very close to where I attended uni, in Spokane, WA. This was a reminder of just how small the world sometimes is.

The openness of the tracks in Craddle Mt. National Park thrilled me. I loved being able to look over the valley, down at Dove Lake, and across the land. 

When we got to Kitchen Hut, an emergency shelter at the base of the summit of Craddle Mt. we found many other people resting up for the steep and semi-technical climb. We ate a snack and prepared. I was not sure how far I would hike, as my ankle had started to swell and my hip had been bothering throughout the day. I followed behind my mates up as far as perhaps half the summit when I decided to give in. I didn't want to further agravate my ankle, especially with us having a 3hr hike back to the car already. So I parked it on a nice flat rock and cheered them on. 

Mesha at her nap sight, halfway up the Summit of Craddle Mt. 

I can admit that upon that flat rock, that I soaked up the sun and great views of Craddle Mt. and Dove Lake, and took a nap. It was the best nap I have EVER had. 

I greeted hikers as they both came up and down from the summit. Most of them where worn out, out of breath, and happy to stop for a breather to talk to me.

I anxiously waited my mates to return from the top. As time dragged on, i considered fleeing to the car, to escape the park before dusk...I wondered if they were okay - and then then finally returned. We took an alternative track back to the car. We kept a fast pace at first - thinking if not, that we'd be caught in the dark. - But luckily we were faster than the predicted pace and made it back to within the car park long before the sunset. 

What greeted us along this last stretch of the hike was quite a surprise - Wombats! They were right along the track and oblivious to us. Cute and fluffy - I was tempted to give it a hug. I obviously didn't and took heaps of photos of it instead, as it munched on the grass. 

Craddle Mt. National Park

Wombat! We saw a handful of them! So cute.

That night at the campsite we met up with our friend from the previous morning, Jason. He was a solo traveler from Victoria that was enjoying Tazzy like us. He had a fire going which enticed us to join him for the night. Along with good conversation, we sat around the fire delighting in the splendor the the great outdoors and the full moon.

In the morning we packed up and went our separate ways. We decided to move on towards Hobart and to take time to see some more scenic sites along our route - like the Highland Lakes, Mt. Field, and the autumn colors present along the countryside. 

The Highland Lakes

Horseshoe Falls, Mt. Field National Park

Last campsite. I was delighted to wake up to sun!

Autumn Colors...

And then we headed back to Hobart, to hike around Mt. Wellington, before Manuela & I returned to the airport - to fly back to Melbourne. 

overlooking Hobart from Mt. Wellington

This guy was not far from the car park. - an Ekidna

After Mt. Wellington, we went part way down the Mt. to hike. We went to some water falls and enjoyed a picnic lunch before returning to the heart of the city.

We did a little shopping before heading to the waterfront for a nice last dinner in Tazzy. We went to Mures, for seafood. The fish, beer battered onion rings, and wine was superb. A great end to an amazing holiday, for sure. 

Back at the car we said our goodbyes. Gwenne was staying another week in Tazzy, while Manuela and I were flying back - to return to work.

The next 24 hours was quite long. There wasn't as much traffic as we predicted, and we finished dinner earlier than expected...and thus we returned the car and checked into the Hobart airport 3 hours before our flight - it was 7:30pm, Tuesday, April 19th. I wasn't back, in Eildon at my house until nearly 7:30pm, Wednesday. (I slept at the airport due to our flight getting in so late, and then had to wait around Melbourne until 4pm to catch the one and only 3 hour bus service to Eildon.

All in all, no regrets. I had a fab time in Tazzy and would enjoy going back in a heartbeat. I was lucky to have such good travel companions, the ability to borrow gear from work, and to have welcoming flatmates to come home too.

The only thing I regret is not seeing a Tasmanian Tiger. I was determined to see one...and attempted track them with little success. I guess I should be happy I saw wallabies and wombats up close and a Tazzy Devil run across the road.

But that does mean, the search for the Tiger continues...