Greetings from the US and A

We are currently in the United States...San Diego to be exact. We are running on no sleep and had the longest Thrusday of our lives... We almost missed our flight home at 12:30PM, got stuck at customs(Maria forgot the no liquids rule)Was in fiji for 4 hours and then had a 10 hour flight to only return to LA at 1:30 THE SAME DAY!!!! This time difference thing is a killer, but on Monday night we will back in ARIZONA!!!! Its crazy that 5 months went by so fast(atleast for us). Its just crazy and of course we had the times of our lives. Heres some pictures we took, stole or "aquired" and random videos. Thanks for coming on the journey with us and we'll be seeing everyone soon.



Last Days



Packing 1



More Packing



Maria



Fourth of July



Goodbye

When Americans Explore Australia

If you were expecting a calming roadtrip from Brisbane to Cairns...you are dealing with the wrong girls. Let us start by giving the facts. Brisbane to Cairns is about a 19 hour road trip. That is approximately 1707km(1060 miles)to drive.Alot of road to cover in one week.There arent many big cities in Australia and as a result you can go hours without seeing people before you even hit a small town(which are scary within themselves)

We left Brisbane Saturday afternoon and road into the night. We slept at the beach in our car because it was so cold. We keep forgetting that we are in the southern hemispere and not frying like we usually do in June. We then drove until we got to Airline Beach where we discovered we had a flat tire. Cristalle tried to fix the car, but the car landed on her hand, just brusing it slightly.OUCH!!! She is ok, no broken bones, but she has seen better days.

We then drove to a small town(and there is alot of those)of Ingham. If hadnt started raining or wasnt late, perhaps we would have kept going, but we got a room(7 dollars each) in the lovely town in Ingham.As we started to settle in to our room as big as a peanut(see video) we started to think we might have been a really bad horror movie and pushed our beds next to the door and tried to sleep.

After all this(and a stop in Mission Beach) we finally got to Cairns. We got the best of the Best hostels, Gilligans, and we just relaxed. The next day it was cold and windy, but it didnt stop us from snorkling and diving the barrier reef. The reef was so beautiful just like in the pictures. Maria saw a string ray while Cristalle saw a shark. There was coral, and fish that seemed painted and so much more. We got some pictures on the our water camera, hopefully they came out.

The next day Maria went white water rafting on the tully river.It is now one of her favorite things in world. We did grade 3 and 4 rapids and the tour guide was really nice and fuuny. She didnt fall out of course execpt her guide pushed the group out and then told them to jump out to practice if they were to fall out. It was an amazing time! Maria is down to do it again.

On Friday we took it easy and went to Cape Tribulation on a crocodile tour(which we saw tons of) and the rain forest. The cape was absoulety beautiful. Its amazing to see where the reef and rain forest meet and get a flair for a different part of Australia.

The next day we headed back to Brisbane wondering where all the time went. The ride was eventful. The lovely queensland roads are built oh so well that the pot holes and dips helped for a bumpy ride. Also us hitting a kangaroo( sorry aussies) was crazy. They just hope across the road and bam there you go. I think we might have saw more pn the side of the road then hopping! We conutine to see beautiful Australia when we started having car trouble and it just gave out. We had to finsh the last 6 hours of our road trip on the bus back to brisbane.

This trip was one of my favoirtes we have ever taken. With a few set backs here and there but we all made it back to Brisbane in one piece. And now here we go with only a few days to pack before we are back in the states, its surreal. Well until next time!



Cairns



start it off



Part 1



part2



Cristalle



Dont stay here 1



Ingham 2



Mission Beach



Reef



We made it

The book on this is about to close...

Can you believe it? In about 2 and half weeks we will be on the shores of the United States and then a few days later back in Arizona! It's mad crazy! Its hard to believe that after a year of planning, 5 months went by so fast. But there is still time enjoy the last of our adventures!

School is winding down...thank god! This semester was at time drainning and kicked our butts, but we did it! After this week, we can just relax and get ready for our roadtrip! 4 americans, one car...got to love it!

As for what we are doing in Brisbane besides stressing with finals, we have been saying goodbye to everyone. The international community became sort of a family these last months and its hard to imagine we all cant come back here together, but as is life. You move on and you learn from these people and experiences.

Well that is all today.Enjoy the pictures and video especially the one called Journey. We dedicate it to our family and friends back home. We miss and love you! See ya soon!



Good Randomness



Coconut



Journey

We are almost done...

Well our journey is almost at an end...yes it's hard to believe. After all the planning, traveling and goodtimes, it will finally be over. Apart of us wishes we could spend more time here, but now that we are on the home strech..we are ready to go home to Arizona! We will be back July 9th in Arizona.

As for what we have been up to, well school has been winding down which means FINALS!!! we arent too happy about those but on the brighter side we are going on a road trip to the Great Barrier Reef! Yea you read that right, road trip! We are renting a van and bringing Lacey and Denise with us! it should take about a days drive. We are leaving Saturday morning and hopefully getting back july 1st. Cross fingers! We cant wait!

Well heres a couple of pictures and a video of our fun. It includes us being apart of a magic show on the streets. Maria was trying to get kurt to volunteer as the assistant, but the magician said he needed someone with a brown sweater and jeans with brown thongs(what Maria was wearing) Another includes seeing the effiel tower at the best Italian Cafe in Brisbane and the cars around it and of course us on the town! Enjoy! See ya soon!



Lately



Look of downtown

Mom and Olga come to visit

These past two weeks, the USA came to visit Down under in the form of Mom and Olga. Maria first meet them is Sydney and was really exciting to have a piece of home down here. We of course had a fun time exploring the city, going to aquirium, the zoo(where we finally saw kangaroos! been in the country 3 months hadnt seen any) went on a river cruise(which we went on the wrong boat which was the longer crusie but no one notice...shhhh) and saw that Sydney had to offer.

The best part we could say about Syndey was celebrating Olga's birthday(she got two days) at the ballet in the Opera House. It was absoulety beautiful and shocking to see the dancers muscles booming out of them. It was great fun.

We then headed to our town, Brisbane. Here we relaxed, explored some parts and saw some of the touristy things.We of course took them to the beach which was a little cold, but its fall here. However the most important thing was having Meixcan food. We hadnt had it in 3 months and of course mom and olga bought mexican food and made homemade tortillas(which they hand rolled with a beer bottle).

Having them here was amazing. It was like we got a little taste of home which we dearly miss! Thank you both for coming...we had an amazing time!

Some of the pictures and videos are contrubted by mom and olga. There is alot which is why this blog is short...we love and miss everyone!



Mom and Olga Down Under



Mom and Olga Down Under Part 2



tour of room



olgas birthday



tour by maria



lunch time



sharks



kangaroos



beach

Morten Island

It is the wee hours here down under, but it the only time we are able to update bc house has gone over our Internet usage..again. Oh well as is life

Anyways we just got back from camping from Morten Island and omg it was amazing. We went with two of our friends Lacey and Victoria and although it was a small group we had so much fun! The ferry you take just drops you off and you see these huge sand dunes! It was like Gilligan's island, but we had no skipper!

The first day we got there we set up our tent. Our tent was a little on the "special" side which bothered Cristalle a tad, but Maria was like uh whatever. We then went exploring the island. Rumor had it that the island had sharks in the water, but locals told us it on the other side...ummm yea. We did see some fishes and a manta ray which was cool. That night we hung out in the tents and started a fire. We cooked Beans! Go Us(espically Cristalle)

The next day we went sand tobogganing. We had to climb up this huge hill which was a work out in it self. You then go head first down these mountains at 65 kph(im not sure what that is in miles, but it is hella fast!) It was so much fun even when we got sand in our face and eyes. We were covered in sand for the rest of the weekend. We even went two at a time...goodtimes! We will have pictures of that in upcoming weeks. We couldnt bring our camera bc we didnt want it damage. However Vics did get the longest disatance! Woot!

That night we went to the dolphin feeding. There wer elike 8 dolphins and they kept getting tons and tons of fish,which is only 10 percent of their diet.It was cool to watch, espically the little kids feeding the dolphins, so cute. The dolphins even did some killa moves.(see video)

The next day we went on a banana boat which is basically a long raft. It was alot of fun,but we wanted the guy to faster, but sadly he didnt :( He probally didnt think us Americans could handle it...psh whateve.

We then went snokling(Maria didnt get sea sick, but it was a big boat) around the wrecks near the island. That was alot of fun bc we got to feed the fish and they jumped up at you. The coral was beautiful and the water was so blue! It was beautiful.

The next day it rained(can we go anywhere when it doesnt rain?) But it was ok bc we were leaving anyways with sand, smelly and covered in bug bites! The Mozzies lived us! We soon got back to Brisbane and decided to see Spiderman 3...disappointment just fyi!

Anyways we are having a good time and awaiting the arrival of Maria's Mom and Aunt Olga...EXCITING!!! Well that is all we love and miss you and we will see you soon!

PS~Maria did the last video for a class..you might like it



Morten Island



Playing with Fire




Fun at Sun Set



dolphins



Arizona

Texas is in Arizona

The headline we have were asked by our new roomies...yea we got new roomies again! Is it something we said? hehe but we like them better than the pervious two so all is good!

So what exactly have we been up here down under? Well we are glad you asked!In the last two weeks we both have been swapped with school. The study part in study aboard kinda erks us. We thought we were signing up for a 5 month vacation...where does it say we are studying... our parents are rolling their eyes right about now!

Haha but yea in those two weeks we have also been enjoying Brisbane! This city never gets boring and neither the people. We went to a party where the theme was PHD. You basically come dressed as something that starts with one of those letters, so Cristalle went as a paperboy with no paper and Maria just threw on a phoenix jersey and called it a day. Other people were much more creative as you will see by the pictures.goodtimes.

Other than that its been business as usual. Maria did go to Movie World which is basically Universal Studios on a smaller scale. She also did go to Mnt. Cootha which is a mountain here where you can go on and see the whole city. Very Beautiful, but the pictures didnt come out so she got a video.

Some updates of what we are doing in the next couple of weeks. Next weekend we are going to Morten Island with some of our friends to go camping and then the week after Maria's Mom and Aunt Olga are coming downunder...WE ARE EXCITED!!!!! Hopefully the weather will be better and less humid!

We love and miss everyone and we will be seeing you soon!



Posing



mnt. cootha




Drivin

Byron Bay

Quiz Time! When is the worst time to find out you are ultra sensitive to sea sickness? Is it:

A)After having spent 20 years in the desert?(We can only image how Moses would have reacted after 40 years, this proves shes half a Jew..)

B)After taking 2 days of dive classes,to only find out the third day

C)On a tiny boat in the middle of nowhere

D)All the above

If you guess D then you are correct and understand what Maria went through this weekend. This true desert rat discovered she was prone to sea sickness that not even the strongest medicine could cure. Of course this was discovered on the third day out at sea after training in the pool and class work. It was not a good last days, so she could not get certified. However in theory Maria could dive! Cristalle on the other hand passed with flying colors and she got certified. Congrats Cristalle!

The trip was not a totaled loss. Both of us did get to see sharks, fishes, nemos, dolphins, and Cristalle saw a Sting Ray, tons of shraks, Corals, and alot of underwater things.

Other things we did was Maria got to drive a boat(the guy said it would help cure her sea sickness...lies). We did enjoy the most eastern part of Australia and the view espically from the light house, which was a hike in itself. You saw the whole small city. Byron Bay might be a small town but its beautiful. Expensive, but beautiful. We did get a great meal of stake, chicken, drinks, salad, and cheesecake which was 35 dollars combine. You cant do better down under.

Well that's about our trip to Byron. We got back to Brisbane god awful early to a house Mattyless :( He went back to Germany, but if anyone wants to donate to the bring him back to Brisbane fund, just give us a call! We hope everyone had a Happy Easter and we will be seeing you soon! Cheers!



Byron Bay



Sun Set

When The City Shuts Down..We Still Party!

So when Brisbane shuts down because of Easter what is two American girls suppose to do? Well you party! Well sort of...

Friday the whole city seemed to have shut down. Only a couple places were open, but Cristalle still had to work. No worries though because later that night we went to a BBQ at our friends place, which we had to walk up a hill to get to because the usual bus stop was close due to the holidays. However it was still alot of fun espically being one of their birthdays and we had the best cake known to man. You got to love Germans!

Saturday we couldnt leave the city at a decent hour to enjoy our road trip so we instead went to our first rugby game! We joined the Red Army(not that one) and went to see the Queensland Reds! Didnt know exactly what was going on, but we loved it!However, sadly, we got our bootys kicked! But we still enjoyed it! GO REDS! GO REDS!

Sunday we finally got to leave to Mooloolaba to meet up with our roommates Matty and Phil in their van which is ummm intersting looking(you got to see the pictures). It took us 3 hours by bus and train to get there(which included us running through the station) However Mooloolaba was beautiful but rainy(surprise) so we decide to see 300(it finally came out here) THIS IS SPARTA!!! It was amazing we recommend to go see it! We then spent the next day at the beach and then back to Brisbane!

We took tons of pictures and videos so please enjoy! In other news,we are staying in Brisbane a couple of days and then off to Byron Bay to dive with the sharks!!! We love and miss everyone!



Red Moo



Red Games!



Red Part 1



Red Part 2






Sunrise

We Didn't Fall Off The Earth

We know it has been forever and a day since we have updated, but life in the city can become crazy and gives you no breathing room. We final got a little breathing room with a week off for Easter and now an update. School is school, no matter what country you live in. It has tests, projects, pointless paper, you know the list.However it is a bit of a reality check because we thought we are goning to Australia, how exciting!?!?! And it still is, but now its school and we cant use the excuse well we aren't from here. You either adapt or be left behind. We know that sounds harsh, but as is life. In happier news we are still having a great time here! We learn something new almost everyday(like the city shuts down for holidays) and the people are still amazing We of course we have a new addiction of Tim Tams aka the best cookies ever invented!It gets lonely at times and we become homesick, but in end we dont regret coming here!

Quick Update on our upcoming week. We are going on a mini road trip and then off to Byron Bay to dive. Hopefully Maria comes back with all her limbs and Cristalle doesn't get stung!

We miss everyone and hope you all have a HAPPY EASTER. HAPPY PASSOVER! Pictures enjoy!



Some More

What Have We Done?

I know it has been some time since we last posted, but with school now starting full force, we have been busy with that! Can you believe it has almost been 2 months since we left the states? Wow its crazy. So you might be asking, what have you girls been up to? Well we actually have been staying in Brisbane aka BrisVegas aka Brissy for some time, soaking up the city and the events. Recently there were protests against the war, but then the next day was St.Patty's Day, which was big here.They had a parade and then huge celebrations through out the day. It was amazing and we had a blast! We are still in love with it and definitely picked the right place to come to school.

We also been soaking up the beach as much as possible when it hasn't been raining(they say they have been going through a drought, but we have see nothing but rain for a couple of weeks). Its really cool to be able to just take a train, bus, or car to a beach only a half an hour away as appose to seven hours!

We also being getting new roommates as of late. Why?were not sure, maybe it is something we said!

Other than that we have just been enjoying Brisbane and going to school. Who knew with study aboard you would have to study? The name doesn't give it away at all! Cristalle also got a new job, while Maria is just enjoying Brissy, being she only goes to school two days a week(but in her defense her classes are harder so psh)

As for upcoming events, we might be going to the beach for a weekend stay,but what is for sure is that for fall break we are diving the great barrier reef! EXCITING! maybe we will see sharks...haha

We hope everyone is doing well and we miss you! Oh and heres some pictures of what we been up to.

PS~Maria's Arizona SIM card broke(we don't know how, but with Maria if there is a will there is a way) So she needs numbers like asap!



The Latest

Melbourne

Melbourne...it wasn't one of our favorite cities which was a disappointment.We heard good reviews of the city, but we were not too impressed.The city seemed like alot of other European cities,however it lack the spunk. There seemed to be something missing. Also it was so cold and windy which we Arizana girls dont do well with. However do not always take our word for it because I think we are the only people in this country who do not love Melbourne. Maybe it was us. Anyways in Melbourne we enjoyed their flea market, Victoria Market, which there you could buy clothes, maps,food and anything your heart desires for cheap. The catch...its all about 3 years old so its a give and take. We then took a cruise on the Yarra River which had two major differences.One side was very country more feel and the other side is all industrial where alot of their shipping happens. We later walked around the city and then watch a comedy show at our hostel. It was really funny espically when one of the comedians started talking about his hispanic mother(so true what he was saying...sorry Mrs. Konopken/mom. We later went out to St. Kilda, but it was sadly dead for it was a Sunday. The next day we went to the Rialto tower to see the whole city and it seemed while we were up there, the temp dropped 30 degrees and started to become windy...We didnt have sweatshirts because in our mind its still SUMMER!!! It later warmed uo but not alot so it wasn't the best situation. We walked around the city some more, but it really cold for us in our tank tops so we went back to the hostel and then to the airport to Brisbane...Its good to be back!



Melbourne



Us in A PArk

Sydney

Let us start off by saying this...we didnt like Sydney...WE LOVE IT!!!! This city was amazing. So much heart and character wrapped into one city, its kind of hard where to start...we arrived to Sydney early Thrusday morning(when I say early I mean like 10 am, but for dramatic affect it was earlier) Anyways the hostel we stayed in was intersting to say the least, but it was in the middle of everything so nothing to complain. First thing we went was the Sydney Opera House. It was a bit surreal seeing something we have only seen in books in person, but it didnt disapoint. We went on a tour of the opera house and decided to go see an orchestra concert, Brahms to be exact(Mr. Nichols would be shocked to hear his two favorite pupils did such a thing...haha) We then went the botanical gardens and the Sydney tower at sunset which made the city more amazing espically the harbor. The next day we toured the city seeing old town, more of the harbor, harbor bridge, kings cross and then later that night went to the orchestra where we sat right behind them(it sounds a tad expensive, but in reality it was only 18 American dollars) The next day we went to BONDI beach which was a bit crowded, but beautiful. We of course swam, tan and walked around the sites. We really wanted to stay longer, but we had to leave later that night to Melbourne, however we will be back!

*Alot of pictures so you might want to click the link below)



Sydney



Coke Toss



Sydney 311

We Are Here For What?

It is currently Tuesday Afternoon In Brisbane... Afternoon Showers are predicted, oh and school started yesterday...lame. No more of the Bum life for us; just when we were just getting use to it! Well atleast we had a good weekend. We went to orienatation camp on North Stradbroke Island. It was a trip for alot of the international students and we went surfing(Cristalle didnt get up, but Maria did for a second) Kayaking(Maria's new favorite sport excluding the salt water that she swallowed...gross) and hiking(more of a walk). There was also an aussie bbq, fire dancers,a lawn bowl club which is exactly what it sounds like(the thing to do Saturday on this Island) and of course beach party! Cristalle celebrated her birthday which was really fun. Everyone on the trip knew her as the birthday girl(thanks to Maria and her big mouth) so she got alot of well wishes and of course we celbrated more when we got back to Brisbane(technically it was still her birthday back in the states). We meet alot of cool people, alot of them German and taught us some German(of course none of the useful phases..hehe) This upcoming weekend your girls are going to Sydney and Melbourne so hopefully it will be fun! Next weekend we might want to stay in Brisbane, but well see...haha Cheers!

PS~Maria only went two weeks before she changed her hair..pictures next time!




"Camp"



Birthday

City By The Bay

Last night your girls from Arizana took a cruise on the river of Brisbane. We thought this city was beautiful during the day, at night it seems to become more beautiful if that is possible. We torn up the cruise ship with our dancing with three other girls from cali while the others looked on. We then went to the Victory Hotel for the after party where they played a mix of hip hop which we begged for and techno(we might have to bring our own music to the clubs if they play anymore of that...) Anyways this weekend we are going to an island nearby for a school trip and will be surfing, different for these desert rats. We hope you guys are having a great time back home, enjoy the pictures and for Gulla... Welcome Home, We are glad you are home in states, and please shave that stache as a public service , not only to us, but society as a whole...



City

City Girls Go Camping

No your eyes aren't fooling you! Cristalle and Maria went camping this weekend in Springsbook Down Under. It was in an actually rain forest, so full of green and it was amazing! We went hiking down to this waterfall, which was pretty down far and of course Maria fell but she is ok!(Sorry Mom!) We swam a bit and then went to the camp site to eat some kangaroo! It was actually really good and was sweet yummy! We'd eat it again! We taught Matty how to play poker(how he went his whole 23 years without knowning is beyond us) We spelt the night under the stars are were awaken by rain pouring on us and leaking into the tents. It contiunes to rain heavly the next day so our plans were canceled. We then went to surfer's paridise(actual name) down aways for swimming and then back to Brisbane for more rain and maybe for Greys Season Premire which we already seen...maybe we will bet our roommates for what happens next..hehe Anyways this is our last week before school which rumor has it is what we are here for...psh well see



Camping




It's Raining

Settling In

To say that coming to Brisbane has been dull would be an extreme understatement... From Cristalle being Quarantine at the airport to getting lost on the bus while in the rain to aborigines coming to our orientation... We both are slowly falling in love with this city and hope it continues tobe amazing...Some updates, this weekend we are going camping with some of our roomies, next weekend we have our orientation camp on one of the islands close by, and then the next weekend we are going to Sydney and Melbourne for the weekend. Yes Mom and those thinking the same thoughts, we are going to school, don't worry. For those asking about address and phone numbers here, we dont have cell phones yet but we have a house phone:07 3368 1950 how you would call that from home is based on the calling card. Our home address is:

84 Latrobe Terrace
Paddington QLD 4064 Australia


Hope everyone is having great time back home and here are some pictures and videos of our banana benders adventures...enjoy



First Pics of Brisbane



Part one of Tour



PArt 2



A real life one



Brisbane Home 043

We Are Down Under

We made it here in Brisbane safe and sound, but we do miss fiji!

To say Fiji is beautiful is an understament...The place is gorgeous! On the first day we went to an island called beach comber island. The island was beautiful...the water was so blue and it seemed to go on for days.We just chilled on the beach and chilled on hammocks...we did the feed turtles some fish which was kinda cool...

We then got back on the mainland...to tropical storms. It doesn't even give you a warning sprinkle that says "I'm going to rain please move" It instead just pours and pours as if to say "I don't care if you were enjoying your meal....I'm gonna do my thing" We chilled there a few and then went back to the room where we passed out...we forgot we had just gotten off a 11 hour flight...

The next day the tropical storms continued...it forced us not to be able to go snorlking which kind of sucked. We then got a ride to downtown Nadi(the driver wasn't suppose to do so, but hey when in Fiji...) The downtown reminded me of Mexico, however in Mexico you don't see a Hindu Temple...

That's right a Hindu Temple...Cristalle and Maria didn't know what it was but we saw this huge colorful thing and you know instead of asking, we went exploring...It was very beauitful and something neither of us have seen before.

The rain continued for the rest of the day...more than Phoenix has had in five years

The next day we left for Brisbane and that brings us here. We miss everyone and heres some pictures from our trip and a video taken on the island....

Good Day Mate!

Pictures-

Fiji


Video-

Us in Fiji

Welcome to Fiji

It is currently about 8:41 a.m Thursday February 8 here in Fiji. Cristalle is sleeping and I am still on Arizona time or possibly I don't need the sleep...

Anyways we arrived safely to Fiji, but of course not smoothly. It started when both Cristalle and I got searched at baggage claim in Phoenix. Apparently you are not allowed to bring certain make-up into L.A., but in the words in my dad, how could they tell? That seems something normal someone would carry and get search, however Miss Cristalle bag got search not because of make-up or water, but instead glue!!!! That's right glue. You got to love it.

After a short flight into L.A., we switch terminals which we thought would be hard, but the only part was lugging the bags and Cristalle falling off the bus but all is ok. Again we got search...I'm not sure why this time, possibly out of boredom or the huge bags we were carrying. Who knows?

The flight to Fiji was of course long without much sleep, but we arrived at 5 a.m. Fiji time and walked out to what can only be described as sauna. There is no need to take showers here...you'd wasting your time, however it's beauty makes up for it.

So that brings us here... not sure what we are going to do today, but I will be waking up cristalle and were probably lay out at the beach. Tomorrow we are going snorkeling and then Saturday our time, Friday you guys' time we will be going to Brisbane.

Well that is all for now. As say down in Fiji...Moce (look it up)

Twas the night before leaving...

Hey guys and dolls this is Maria! Cristalle and I have 24 hours left in this country of ours and what are we doing? Cleaning and possibly causing destruction!I'm just kidding.... But seriously, I know I speak for Cristalle when we say that we are both excited and nervous leaving home for five months, but we shouldn't worry. It's not like we are leaving forever. Things will change of course, but some things will stay the same. Like summer days, traffic, sun sets, cold stone; among many things. We will miss everyone like crazy banana sandwiches but we will keep you updated! So wait for emails when updates occur, and we'll be seeing ya!