Excuse the rather lengthy blog I'm sure this will be, but just want to get everything down so I don't forget anything:
I just got back from one of my favorite trips ever: to New Zealand and Australia. I was lucky to have gone w/2 of my really good friends, Misty and Alison. It was the perfect mix of amazing places w/awesome company.
So, here's a recap of our little adventure:
First stop, Auckland, New Zealand: We went to the top of the Sky Tower (the tallest structure in the Southern Hemisphere at 1,076 feet!) The views were beautiful and looking out we could see people being strapped in to bungee jump off the top, no thanks!! Seriously, no desire whatsoever. We also hopped on a city bus tour to see some of the sights. From Auckland, we drove out to Rotorua, went to a Maori Village and watched the guys perform the "Haka" dance. It was so cool to hear about some of their traditions, it's such a cool culture. On our way back we had the chance to do the funnest thing, we went on the Zorb. What it is is this gigantic ball with a smaller ball inside. Basically, you slide into the small ball, they spray some warm water inside and then push the ball down a very long, steep hill. Honestly, I was a little freaked out at first, but once we got going, it was so much fun!!
Next stop, Christchurch, New Zealand: I loved this town so much!! Hands down, it was our favorite of the whole trip. Everywhere you look: green! tons of parks, gardens and really cool architecture. Plus, overall in New Zealand, I just really, really loved the people. Everyone was so incredibly helpful and friendly. Having said that, I was this close to buying a book to translate all of their little expressions, seriously, there were times I had to ask 2,3 times for them to repeat what they had said :) We ended up going on this Lord of the Rings tour while we were there (a little crazy considering I've only seen the 1st movie and fell asleep before it ended). But it ended up being soooo cool! The scenery was so beautiful and it was cool to hear little secrets about the filming of it and how they chose locations.
Next Stop, Sydney, Australia: I was surprised at how huge Sydney is! I loved Darling Harbor and the area by the Opera House. It had some really beautiful parks and neighborhoods, but it was a little too big for my taste. One of our first plans when we booked our trip was to climb the Sydney Harbor Bridge. I know I'm being a copy cat of the Amazing Race, but after I saw them do that, I was thinking, I have to do that. We had to put all of this gear on and attach to this cable to do it. The views were amazing from the top and it was really cool to hear the history of the bridge.
Last stop, Brisbane, Australia: Of the 2 towns, I liked Brisbane better. It seemed like a smaller, quieter more authentic Australian town, and the bonus is it's only about an hour and a half from the Gold Coast/Surfer's Paradise. We ended up taking a train there and we're able to do a little shopping and walk along the beach. Another favorite stop of our trip was going to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. We were able to hold a koala and feed the kangaroos. On our last day we went to church at the Brisbane ward, and then were able to see the temple since it's right next door.
Oh and by the way, have a new favorite airline: Qantas. Oh my gosh! The best customer service, the flight attendants were so stylish in their wrap dresses and the male stewards were really handsome and manly, so rare I know. The seats were so comfy and they had this feature called Seat Chat, where you could send text messages or talk to other passengers using your remote. Too bad the only other people I knew on the flight were right next to me :) So funny, b/c on our flight we were sitting right behind this huge group of kids from a dance group in Australia who were coming to perform at Disneyland. It was so cute to hear how excited they were about seeing America for the first time, probably how we were about flying into Australia. Classic quotable: one of the girls looked out the window and was like "oh look they have a Mcdonald's, we'll for sure have to go". I was thinking you're in luck chickadee b/c they're everywhere. Then another one of the girls was looking down at an aqueduct somewhere around Inglewood and was like "I think that's where they filmed Grease". I was trying so hard not to laugh!
so, i have to admit, i did approach this birthday with a little hesitation. hmmm....maybe part of it was i got a little email from my friend saying hey, it's almost your ama birthday, so i'm thinking almost middle aged? and she laughed and was like no, it's an ob gyn term: advanced maternal age! o.k., i think that was even worse. but then i started thinking, you know what, so some things in my life have not turned out within the timeline i would've expected, it has still been a great life and i feel so lucky to have the amazing friends and family and great opportunities i've had. my sister and i have this long running joke....this is your year!! but i really feel like it is, no matter what comes my way.
it was actually more like a birthday week instead of day full of lots of surprises. i had lunches and dinners w/friends, some cute little surprises from the kids i work with, lots of fun calls/cards/texts from my family, a surprise cake from my young women and the other leaders and the best surprise was my mom and dad flying out for the day to be here w/me on my birthday. i know i lucked out in the parent dept. and feel so lucky they're mine. who else would be willing to fly in at 1:00, be here a few hours and then fly right back out at 7?
