Havaianas Challenge

Well, Nik and I had an adventure set out for us when we took outrip down the Great Ocean Road. We started off on a different scenic route to our destination of Apollo Bay. The road was beautiful. It gave me that zoom zoom zoom feeling. We took our first stop in Forrest, attempting

to go to lake Elizabeth but soon called that off once we realized our 30 minute trek down a dodgy dirt road took us to a park that then told us the walk to lake Elizabeth was over an hour long. NO THANK YOU! Plus they provided pictures for us to see what it actually looked like and believe me, we weren't missing much. Maybe just a platypus.

After the failed attempt we decided we were hungry enough to stop for lunch. We stopped at a cute little cafe that doubled as a guesthouse. It was so quaint and lovely and definitely a spot Iwould have picked out myself. It reminded me of my dear Duncan Garage Showroom and made me miss home just a little bit.

Once lunch ended we tried- and yet again failed- an adventure down another dodgy dirt road to see some water falls. The hike was again more than an hour. The last thing you want on a long road trip is to hike around exhausting yourself for another hour. So we managed to skip that again.

On the road again took us another few hours to get to Cape Otway lighthouse. It was SO beautiful! Right on the ocean and

the scenery were just awesome. Not tomention the increadibly funny lighthouse front desk man. Nik successfully imitated some Asian tourist with throwing up a peace sign which got me

laughing quite hard as well. We climbed up to the top of the lighthouse only to witness fantastic views of the ocean. On the drive in and out I was happily surprised by some Koalas hanging in the trees. So cool! Definitely one to remember.

Once we finally arrived to Apollo Bay we discovered that our motel was quite dodgy. Zebra and floral print bedspreads, chewed up TV cord, barely lockable door... Yup! Definitely a cheap one. Putting the fact that we could very well get murdered in this room at the back of our minds, we headed down to the beach to watch the sunset. I can't describe the beauty. The combination of the sun slowly saying goodbye and the die hard surfers hitting the waves was unbelievably gorgeous. In that moment I thanked God for the wonderful creations He gave us and the amazing life I live.

The next day was Australia Day! We managed to make our way up to Torquay after an early

night of the Australian wildlife getting to me. I apparently got up shouting "THERE'S SNAKES IN MY BED!" and sweeping the covers to get rid of them. Courage is the only word I have for it. If you were there and there were actually snakes, I would have saved you. You're welcome.

Once arriving in Torquay, and a bit nervous because

the sun hadn't yet shown its face,

we joined in the Havaianas inflatable thongs challenge . Now this is where they gather up as many people as possible and try and make the longest line of people floating on giant Havaianas flip flops *which we got to keep! May I tell you it was hilarious! The beach was covered in giant, yellow, right footed flip flops. Unfortunately we didn't break the record, but the sun did pop out just in time and we had a grand ol time none the less. On the drive back we went down the real Great Ocean Road with the top down, the sun shining and the beautiful ocean right beside us. We also stopped in at a golf course to get a look at the Kangaroos, which is not allowed I might add. But unreal none the less. That night we soaked up the end of Australia day with my first Australian beer at a local pub in Apollo bay.

The adventure continues with our trip to Nikki's beach house in Sorrento. We had a very lazy stay there, watching some tennis and reading out on the porch. Nikki's fantastic parents joined us for lunch the next day and we got to play with Steve and Julia's (brother and sister in law of Nikki) new puppy Dexter. It was very nice and fun.

The next day I was able to experience my first 21st birthday party. Now in Australia, turning 21 is a big deal. I mean BIG DEAL. Speeches, family, friends and a huge party. It was amazing, smashing good fun. We got to dance the night away with champagne and me making a couple new friends. Not to mention I got a double cheek ginger kiss from two of the token gingers and new friends at the party. My night was complete. And fantastic.

Tonight was good fun. It was Julia's birthday so we went to Robert Burns Hotel which is a Spanish bar and ate some traditional dishes from Spain including Squid ink and Octopus. It wasn't at all half bad.

This is just a "quick"- okay not quick- snipit of what is happening here in Australia. It has been increadibly fantastic and I am loving every minute-- no matter how exhausting. Steve Irwin is also enjoying himself plenty as well. All I can say is: AMAZING AS!