Jervis Bay Surf Trip!!!!!!

I know this is out of order and I should be blogging about mom and Sarah's visit first, but I let Sarah be the photographer last week so I'm waiting on some pictures to add to the post!

Last Friday, Sterling and I headed to North Gong Station to get picked up by the amazing Katrina and Kendal-- the Arcadia staff we started our Australian adventures with. About twelve of us students piled into a mini bus/van and headed off to our first stop, Kiama, to see the Blow Hole (we took mom and Sarah there a day earlier and it was a lot more active then). We then headed to Jervis Bay where we set up camp at Green Patch/Bristol point. This really cool guy, Paul (I could write a whole post about him-- he is really fascinating-- aboriginal, knows sooooo much about a lot of things, worked three jobs in college, owns some serious businesses, happens to be a millionaire but is incredibly modest) provided all of our camping gear (tents, cots, food, chairs, everything) and stayed with us the whole weekend. After camp was set up, we walked down to the beach. The sand was super white and squeaky!! haha I'm pretty sure all of the local people thought we were obnoxious because we wouldn't stop squeaking the sand.

Camp!

We played frisbee for a while and then walked back up to our camp sight. On the way back, we saw a giant snake laying across the path. Kendal believed it was a python and didn't think it was poisonous but the general rule in Australia is to assume all snakes are poisonous. It was strange how it just laid there and didn't slither away when it heard/felt us coming. Sturr was glad he finally got to see a snake in the wild though!! That evening, Paul cooked us an AMAZING dinner!! and guess what!!! WE ATE KANGAROO MEAT!!!! It tasted like steak :) 

:)

Roo

Wallaby

More roos

When it finally got dark, we went back to the beach. There were bioluminescent plankton in the water so when you stirred the water up or when a wave crashed on the beach, the plankton glowed. It was the coolest thing ever!! The group then went back to camp for some hot tea and hot milo, then a few of us went back down to the beach to watch the stars. The sky was so clear and beautiful! Sterling saw four shooting stars and I saw two. It was incredible.


The next morning, Auntie Julie, an aboriginal woman, taught us about bush tucker, medicine, and the local fauna and flora. I'm sure this may sound boring to some, but it was actually REALLY interesting. She was just so full of knowledge, it makes you wonder why we have pharmacies when the plants you need are right there. I even tried some of them :) One of our friends on the trip had a tooth ache so Auntie Julie and Paul gave him this waxy sap to numb it. I wish I could remember all of the plants and uses. Their methods of catching food seemed so practical too, it's mind blowing that people aren't taking advantage of their vast knowledge. 

Auntie Julie & Paul

After the bush walk with Auntie Julie, we had a yummy lunch back at the camp site, then finally, we loaded the bus to hit another beach where we learned to surf!! When we arrived, we put on our wetsuits, grabbed our boards, and walked down to the beach where the instructors went over the technique in the sand then sent us to try it out in the water. This is when I discovered that I LOVE SURFING!! The time went by so fast and Sturr and I were shredding out there catching waves left and right! I totally want to go again. 

Me and Lindsey after surfing!

Once again when we got back, we had an amazing dinner, after which we headed to a campfire were Auntie Julie told us dreamtime stories and cooked us some fresh damper. It was delicious and the stories were really cool. We could have listened to her all night.  

A cool ship in Jervis Bay

 Finally, we hit the hay and unfortunately we had to pack up camp in the morning. We drove to Hyams Beach which supposedly has the whitest sand in the world-- so glad I had my sunglasses, it was really bright with the sun reflecting off of it-- then drove to the cute little town of Berry for lunch.

Sand.

I am so glad we had such an awesome group. Everyone got along really well and I have to say, we laughed so much. It was a really incredible experience and it's sad knowing our time here is coming to a close. 

Some of the crew

Anywhooo, this is our last week of class!! I only have one assignment left... hoping I get motivated soon!!