Crocodile Feeding!!

Randomly me and my friend Karen found ourself ontop of the Casino in the city. It was night and we were looking for a swing dancing area. Once we got to the top of this Dome shaped Casino we realized something usually goes on there during the day and it was closed.

We read a sign that said Cairns Wildlife Dome. I didnt actually believe they kept animals up there A) because we easily wandered up there (and there should be more security) and B) it was tiny.

We decided we neeed to check it out during the day sometime. So one day we went back. We got a five day pass because during different days they did different things. Koala feeding, crocodile feeding, bird presentations etc..
So I went to the crocodile feeding. O man the things i learned and saw that day made me even more terrified!

The one at the top of the Casino is 45yrs old and 4 meters long (only half way done growing).

The man went on to tell us (basically) that there is nothing you can do if you get caught by one of these cause his outter layer (woulodnt really call it skin) is so tough that you can drop like a ton of bricks on him and he wouldnt budge. The only way to hopefully escape a crocodile is, once he brings you in the water to drown you, reach your hand in to the back of his throat and punch him there. That will make him cough and he will let you go. Pretty sure though if he has my leg im not about to offer up my arm as well :).

The Crocodile guy also told us how they stalk their prey. Apparently they arent the smartest animals so they look for prey that have habitual routines. If a wild hog goes to the same watering spot at the same time he will eventually become crocodile food. They can hold their breath for up to three hours at a time and will usually just watch their prey for a while and everyday get closer and closer until finally that little hog goes for a drink and gets caught by a big old croc!

After hearing all that and watching the croc eat. I am pretty sure I might stay out of the waters here in Cairns!

Feeding time!!

The wildlife dome was pretty cool and there were lots of Aussie native animals up there to see. [Pictures will be on facebook shortly!] But def learned to stay away from Croc infested waters!

Life in the Jungle

Even though I have never lived near the water I have always know that I was a true "sunshine and sand" kind of girl. Living in Cairns has now confirmed that for me! Being outside and (well near) the water

(cant go in some oceans because of the crocodiles) just puts a smile on my face no matter what mood I may be in.
I've become much more of an outdoorsy person and am loving the new tan and getting in shape!
(Now of course I say this before the wet season comes and I am crabby from being inside all day! ha)
Waking up to this view just starts my day off right!

The neighbor hood is just as gorgeous!!


Unfortunately I started this blog on my last lap top which now id broken and it has all my cairns city and neighborhood pictures! Sad story. So I will just have to end this blog and start with more with my current laptops and upcoming photos.

But pretty sure the point was made that I love this city!

Sydney!!

So until I got to Cairns, Sydney was by far my favorite city in Australia. I love the atmosphere, the people, and of course the Opera house. Luckily it was only a 3 hour bus ride from Canberra so I was able to go twice.

The first time I went I had a gorgeous view of the opera house!

The first weekend I spent there was guided more towards doing the touristy stuff. So I hopped on a tour bus and saw the city!

We also stopped by Bondi beach. It was too cold to actually go in but it was a beautiful!! I could def see myself living there (for millions of dollars!) ha

And of course The Harbour Bridge!! Next time (hopefully I go a next time) Ill do the bridge climb. It looks fun and even when it was raining people were climbing it! Its such a remarkable structure!

And who could forget the Opera House!

My favorite part was the city at night! They had a light show going on and the Sydney Harbour was just beautifully lit and so colorful at night!

The second time I went I caught up with the friends I had made and explored more of their everyday life in, what I think, is the most amazing city in the world. I was able to see a footy game live for the first time and even though I had no idea what was going on :). There were like three goal posts, seriously such a confusing game ha. But overall a very fun day!



Sydney was amazing. I met some amazing people and got to experience life in the fabulous city. The amazing architecture, beautiful waters, and kind people made my trip to Sydney the best it could be!

Melbourne!

Ive been quite behind on my blogs but a while ago I went to Melbourne for the weekend!
A weekend is definitely not enough time to see this city! It was amazing. And very different from Sydney!
The city at night was gorgeous!

A friend I met on the airplane on my way over to Australia lives in Melbourne so he was able to take me out to Crowne Casino the first night. It was huge! and a lot of fun!

The next day Paul's brother Christopher came into the city and showed me around. The buildings and just culture in the city was mesmerizing.

There was street art down alleys,

performers on the the street,

so many little cafes down the alleys as well. You def do not go down the alleys in Downtown Phoenix. ha

Then you have what the Australian's call Arcades
This was the Royal Arcade, which is also just beautifully built!

Then you have the up-to-date architecture of the Melbourne CBD or City Center

Also in one of the malls you have the lead and factory tower. It was made in 1890 and used to make over 6 tons of lead shots per week until 1961. The building was saved from demolition in 1973 and was incorporated in the large Melbourne Central complex underneath a 84m high conical glass roof, in 1991. The bullets were made by dropping small lumps of molten lead form the top of the building. By the time they reached the bottom, they had cooled and solidified into shot pellets. Individual shots were then checked for size and roundness and were remelted and dropped if not passed by quality control.
Pretty amazing if I do say so myself

Then we come across my dads favorite part. Albert Park. This is the area that gets transformed into a race track for the Australian Grand Prix. The pictures aren't too great because I was in a car going around the "track" but it was cool to see where the drivers get to drive and take pictures for my dad back home!

Overall had an amazing time in an amazing city! Hope to go back one day to explore more cause one weekend was not enough!!!