New Zealand, the South Island

So I came to NZ for a 9 day visit to see Aunty Verity and Uncle Bob Charles (famous NZ golfer). They live in Christchurch so tis is were i started my visit. We stayed in their house for a night at Clearwater golf estate and then went to their farm the next day. We visited a lovely local coffee shop called Seagers where we sat and chatted to Joe, the owner. She is the most lovely, bubbly and creative person you have ever met. Such an interesting lady. She invited us to join her at a cooking school in Italy next September.

We then drove down to Arrowtown near Queenstown where they have another house on the golf course. We are here for 5 days. It snowed yesterday afternoon, so pretty, lovely change from the constant heat of the Gold Coast. We went to the most stunning little movie theatre last night called Dorothy's. It is this 40 seater theatre that has velvet seats and sparkling chandeliers. She clasy. You can have wine and cheese during the movie.

Yesterday i went Jet Boating down the Shotover river, wow, what a thrill, they go so close to the rocks and they do 360 turns in narrow gorges. THRILLING! it began to rain and the drops were stinging our faces but it was lots of fun.

Today I went to an early yoga class at the gym then we drove into Queenstown to go on the Earnslaw boat which goes across Lake Wakatipu to a cattle station. The cruise was lovely, the lake is surrounded by snowy mountains. The lake was created by glasiers and is therefore extremely cold, with temperatures averaging 9-11 degrees C. The lake is 300 m deep!! WOW. The Earnslaw steamer is 98 years old and had its maiden voyage the same year as the Titanic, 1912!! And the original vessel still goes! When we arrived at the station we were met by Peter and his working dog Meg. Peter showed us around the farm where we got to feed and pet the deer, the scotish highlander cattle and the different sheep. The deer here are bred for their velvet which grows on their antlers, this velvet is then harvested and sold as health supplements.
We then had afternoon tea in the farm house, whereafter we were shown the intricate process of shearing a HUGE, KICKING male sheep. very interesting! Meg, the working dog also showed us how she went out into the field and mustered the sheep. gotta love it! A true education!!

What a fantastic trip so far!! Will keep u updated! xx HUGS from NZ

30 October 2009

Another GORGEOUS day in NZ, however, I dont think i could ever live here, its stunning for a holiday but being here feels like I am so far away from the rest of the world and its way too cold for someone like me whose 2 fav things are running outdoors and suntanning, lol. Great for skin cancer. I woke up to sun! wow! then i went to the gym and did an hour pump up weights class, good on me, lol. Had lunch, watered the garden for aunty Vee and now we are heading out to go up the Gondola. it takes you high up the mountain in Queenstown and has great views over the city. be back later xxx

Living back in Australia

quick update all!

Im back on the Gold Coast, staying with Gage at the moment til i find my own place, i have a one year working holiday visa and so i am busy looking for work.

then i have also applied for residency so that should come thru next year, so Aussie it is for a while, so excited to be back here. I am busy catching up with old friends and settling down again.

It is such a pleasure to be here during winter, it is so warm, we spent the day on the beach today!

I love my life!

South Africa

There was a slight change of plans to this years events. I stayed at home to work for my dad for a few months in his restaurant instead of traveling. I have had a great few months learning a lot in the restaurant business. Its been exciting and difficult.

My boyfriend Gage came over to SA for 3 months and we traveled the country extensively. I am on my way back to Australia in 2 weeks to work there and apply for my residency. Next year I hope to travel and explore the world.

I love you all!

the last of down under

so i am into my last 3 weeks in Australia and the emotions are starting to swell
I have had 2 of the best years of my life in this beautiful country and I am most sad to leave
we drove south today to a beautiful beach, went surfing and swimming and lay in the sun
good times, good friends, love, university...the days are over, I'm trying not to be sad!!!

Dubai Study Tour

I just got back from 10 amazing days in Dubai. The UAE is in my opinion the most exciting place to be in the world right now. The Sheikhs have so much power and wealth that they just pump it into the economy and somehow manage to avoid the "Global Crisis" that is affecting every other country in the world. Our trip was based on Construction and Sustainable Development and so we visited building sites everyday. It was fascinating as I do not know much about this topic and I therefore learnt a lot.

We flew from Brisbane to Singapore and then on to Dubai. We flew as a big group, about 30 of us Bond students. The boys got a bit roudy on the plane as they were excited to be out of Australia for a few days. We stayed at the Four Points by Sheraton in an area called Bur Dubai. Our first two days were free time which allowed us to get over the jetlag and to explore the city. We went to the Mall of the Emirates, Karama markets, the Polo Club (where we had a nice lunch with Sherri-lee, my friend from South Africa who has recently moved to Dubai)...and explored some other areas.

Our work began on Sunday, this took a bit of getting used to as Sunday is our day of rest but their Monday! That day we visited Bovis Lend Lease where we met with Paul Redstone, followed by the Madinat Hotel and Nakheel, the company that is building the Palm Islands and the World.

On Monday I was sick in the morning and so I missed out on the Al Barrari development trip to see the $25,000,000.00 villas that they are building there. I made it out in the afternoon to the construction sites of the D1 Tower and the Palazzo Versace Hotel.

Tuesday was a visit to the Pacific Controls building, which is a 6 Star Green Rated building. Then the afternoon was dinner in the desert. We were picked up by 5 Land Cruisers, we strapped ourselves in tight and drove out to the desert where we went dune bashing!!! It was too much fun. We then had a dinner, henna tattoos, belly dancing and camel rides in the desert.

Wednesday was a full day in Abu Dhabi. We drove there early in the morning and went straight to the Grand Mosque. All the girls had to put on the traditional dress that covered our heads, shoulders and neck. It was a fascinating visit, we had the most interesting Australian tour guide. She turned Hindu and moved to Abu Dhabi 8 years ago. The afternoon was a visit to Yas Island where they are building the Ferrari Theme Park and the Formula 1 Track.

Thursday was a visit to Austrade in the morning and then to The Dubai World Trade Center in the afternoon.

All of our visits were absolutely fascinating, we met with the top guys in each firm and learnt a lot.

The next three days I spent with Sherri-lee. We went to Abu Dhabi again for the day. We watched rugby at the Tri Nations Pub called Nezesaussi. We went to Jumeira Beach for the day, attempted to go Kite Surfing but there was no wind. So we went to The Dubai Mall for a quick look instead.

The next night I flew back to Aussie via Singapore.

It was the most amazing trip!!! xoxo