Cairns

I've been living in Cairns since the 19th of December. Beth had a job opportunity over here working at Tribal travel (a backpackers travel agency) The owner Erryn and her 2 kids (Jarrod and Dolly)  had come to Kroombit and thats how Beth knew them. We been staying at the same hostel as them as Erryns been looking for a house. Today she finally found one and I believe we move in On Jan 13th ish. So they are very exsited to be able to finally settle in somewhere. Ive been loving living at the hostel cause its close tothe city and my new place of work. Ive been working at the Pier Bar and Grill as a bar tender. So I'm there pretty much everyday working either day or night shifts, some times both. Trying to save my money before i come home. I fly out of Cairns on Feb 4th to Sydney. Then from Sydney i fly home on the 8th of Feb. I've been tryign to make the best of my time left in Australia. I did a Bungee Jump on boxing day. It wasn't planned or anything, i went to watch Jarrod jump and ended up doing it myself. It was intense and so fun. I loved it. Such a thrill. I posted the video on facebook today. Take a look, its halarious I just scream the whole time. I also did a cape tribulation trip where we get to go to see all the amazing views there. Swamin a creek, went on a crocodile tour and go for a walk in the rainforest. One day we also went to Tjapukai. Its where you learn all about the aboriginals and there way of life. You get to throw boomerangs and a spear. Christmas here was amazing. We all got gifts for each other and put them under this little christmas tree at the hostel. The kids were lovign it. I dont think ive ever had christmas with kids around so it was pretty cool. They were so excited. I got a sailor hat, a bracelet, a ring, a journal and a shirt. I got spoiled for sure. It was good fun. Later on we went to another hostel for a big lunch with prawns and loads of other foods. That night we went to the Lagoon and hung out telling each other our traditions. Athena and her friend Anne were here for christmas which was great. Since christmas ive been working full time in the bar so New Years thats where i was. Probably a good thing too. Making money instead of spending it. Other then that stuff Ive been spending time at the travel shop with everyone and hanging out at the lagoon in my spare time. Im off to work now but will keep you posted. Much love. ♥♥♥

From Broome to Darwin we didn't really stop. We drove all day and spend the night in the middle somewhere in a campsite by a river with crocodiles. Didn't see any but cool thinking they were just behind us. Beth didn't want to sleep with the doors open cause she thought they would eat us. i assured her we would be okay and eithe way I was closest to the door, so she shouldnt worry. We met this older couple at this campsite. They had been living in this huge campervan/house and travelling all around. They gave us some mangos which were really yummy. The next day we drove to Darwin. Our destination. Darwin was grand. There were some cool people at the hostel. There we hung out in the pool durning the days, it was so hott you couldn't really do much more. One day we went down to the esplanade at the beach and got ice cream. Went out at night with people from the hostel. We returned the campervan the morning of our flight out of Darwin to Carins. And that wasa brief summary of the West Coast of Australia. The two of us had so much fun and got to see breathtaking views. I would love to go again and work over there somewhere. Not sure which place was my favorite, But I really enjoyed Coral bay with the ningaloo reef. Can't wait for you guys to see the photos.

Western Australia

2 others to add to the crew at Kroombit:
Athena Jinxy was a ledgend. Beth and I spent all our time with her when she got here. She bought a car and we painted it together. We log roll down hills together when im hungover.
Honey Bear  (Don't really know him by his real name he was just always honey Bear...umm its ...Barry) Pretyy much a big teddy bear. His mom came out to visit for a week Momma Bear.

So here is the grand adventures of Beth and I on the west coast.
It all started at Kroombit whe Beth and I were talking about it. We were debating doing it for a while and finally manned up and bough the tickets. We flew out of Rockhampton on Dec 3rd. Athena drove us to the airport while was nice cosidering its a 2 hour drive from Kroombit. So the 2 of us hoped o the plane not knowing what was ahead of us, other then the fact that we were renting a campervan for 20ish days. So we flew into Perth and got there at night on the Dec 3rd. Stayed there and had heaps of fun on the second night. Met this girl named Becky and had a blast. We went for dinner (we were going to have cereal but Beth accidently put it on the free food shelf and of course someone jacked it right away, but this lead us to our grand adventures that night) We went to a little bar where there was a live band playing older country dancing music and there were all these old couples just giving'er. Amazing t watch, they had so much energy and personality. After we headed to another little bar where there was a live band and the guy kept asking us for requests. He was halarious and really reminded me of Adam Macdougall. Comedian in the making. We danced a bit there and then back to the hostil for some more dancing and pool contest. We visied Rottness Island, which is breath taking, but we got attacked by heaps of flys, which for some reason just want to go in your eyes, mouth, noe, and ears. If they took these flys awy it would be heaven on earth We sarted up the coast on the 5th. Stopping at the pinnacles (large rock formations coming out of the ground surrounded by sand) Google it. It crazy cool. We were there at sun set aswell. Camped that night at a Caravan park, like most the other nights to come. Just felt safer, cosidering it was just the 2 of us in the middle of nowhere usually. Just driving up the coast was breathtaking. We stopped at Shark Bay and had a night out with the locals, which were a bit special, we did Kareoke. Beth and i did "gives you hell" and "our song" and i did a duo with the singer that was playing his guitar earlier tht night "Grease combo of songs". Drove to Monkey Mia for the dolphin feeding and from there we went to coral bay and met 4 Kiwi lads on the beach, had a couple drinks them and all became best friends and hung out for the next night, day and night together. They were good fun and entertaining. We snorkeled the Ningaloo Reef during the day, which was crazy breathtaking. Saw fish, coral, and an eel. Really really friken amazing.We then headed to Exmouth and at night saw turtles laying eggs on the beach. They were huge and there were loads of them. Then we went to Karijini National Park. It was stuning the cliffs and the waterfall we went to. But it was like 40 degrees and so many flys we couldnt go out of the van, but couldnt stay in cause the heat. I ended up sleeping on the roof of the van cause i was so hot. It was the worst sleep ever, but we made it through the night. We then drove to Broome, I perfect sized city. Did some surfing! It had beena while but by the end of the day I was picking it up again. Had some geat rides!! Tryed to see the sun set but missed it, hung out in the pool during the days and the beach, and did some driving round the city. Have to end the blog for now, finish updating later.

Its been a while but here is a brief bit to catch up on my travels:

So Kroombit Life: Its been amazing here. So much to tell you. This will be confusing but Im sure you will enjoy it. Underlined will be all there two way names (walkie talkie names). First off the people here are amazing. The guy running the place is named Al Boss cocky. He is really nice. Treats us all like grand children. Always giving us hugs and joking around and giving us johnny red whiskey (I accept it even though I don't really enjoy it, just to be polite ;) ) He is married to Carol, who will talk your ear off, but I like it. They take good care of us. Its believed that I came from Alaska (simple mistake made by Ian). There were many backpackers that came and went during my stay on the farm. Here is a little update on them. Beth Fire Stick (ive really clicked with, she took over in the kitchen as the other kitchen lady, Wendy left for another cattle station) We always watch movies in our campervan that we shared and do artsy things together. Ian Honky Tonk is a big joke, but really funny. Him and Timmy (although I always call him Tommy and his real name is Paul but had been given the name Harry before he got here cause no one knew his real name) dressed up as ladies the other night. Called themselves Irene and Tina. This was for Andys birthday (married to Kerry Wedge tail with 2 kids Kayla and Jesse)(this couple is great, Andy Dream time reminds me of Kerry smith from home. Kerry (wife) reminds me of you sometimes mom. Ashley Smash is good fun. Cute little blond always something fun to do. Kat Johnny Red knows everything... usually works with the school kids when they come in. Always happy. Adam Demo is so funny. Everyone jokes how he always complains, which he does but I really like him. Pretty mellow and always has sweets which he shares with me. Chris Boomerang is really quiet but nice none the less. Really good at cracking whips (i suck, but am improving). He is dating Ciara Babalon is Irish and pretends she is scared of me, I think its a joke cause we just always joke about it. She is here with Tricia who is also Irish. She is a sweetheart and proposed to me the other day because she had a girl crush on me. Apparently cause I ride a motorbike she thinks its hot. Gabby Wringger  s the bosses bitch, she just took over for Ashley as i was leaving. Shes gret at singing, its been said she has the voice of an angel. Josh was fun to work with. Reminds me of a little kid. Grant Beans  never wakes up on time and is always late to make the beans for the bakpackers. Hilary Eyebrow  had crazy eyebrows when she lifted them up. Don't know how she could raise them so high. Julia was the cutest thig ever. German and we would always go swimming in the pool together and goof around and exercise. Sabrina Iron Lady was always giggly. Had mad muscles and was amazing at fixing fences. Helene Candy had the cutest little voice and from Denmark. She always would pick up when mom called at lunch and talk to her so she didnt have to wash up the dishes. Steffi Angus has been there for years. She is lovely to work with. Makes me giggle at the things she says and how she says them. There are others working here aswell, Mostly Australians who have been here for forever. But those are the main people. Oh and Brent Cowboy who works in the kitchen at night. I love him. He lets me eat whatever I want. Saying the more you eat the more you get paid. HAHA. I finally got a two way name Bike Crash/ Bicycle. The story behind it: It was Smashs birthday which was pirates of the caribean themed, we were all dressed as pirates. So long story short: We were doing a scavenger hunt, And i decided it was a good idea to hop on my bike so I could petal faster and find the clues. All was well, but i had forgotten that we had been building a fence over by the caravans. So there i am going as fast as buzz lightyear and ....  BAAMMM!!! I run full on into the logs. I was told I did a full on flip over the handle bars and the bike landed on top of me. At this Point honey Bear runs over t see if I'm okay and I reply "don't worry about me, go find the clue" And thats that story. Bruises and no dignity left but i imerged from the accident learning not to ride my bike while intoxicated. And that was all the crazy people i worked with for the past 3 months who i have become so close with.

Okay now ill go over the animals. The are tons of pets here... So here I go. To start there is Boss. A cockatoo who I would place at the top of the animal kingdom. He talks a bit.. Hello, Toast, Hello Boss, Peanut Butter, and he said scratch me the other day, i swear. He eats peanut butter on toast for breakfast and anything else he can get through the day. He usually will sit on your hand, but some days decides to bite you instead. He also drinks out of beer cans. There is Milee the new born cow who thinks shes a dog. Really cute. There are a couple dogs. Sassy (really well trained), Dog (a one year old puppy with heaps of energy), Freddie an old dog who is def and blind (disappeared a month ago and didnt come back, must be in doggy heaven), and Puppy (who you dont see much but when you do he looks scared also getting older, shes adorable). There is Darkness/ Nessy, the baby Roo. So small, fed by a bottle started out about the size of a big rat and is now the size of a small dog. I feed her all the time. Her mom was hit by a car. There is James a cow who thinks hes a goat who always hangs out with the goats. He is no longer. We got short on beef, There is Aussi an Emu. Cant remember the story something about the mom leaving it. Otherwards there are heaps of Horses(around 100) and cows (1200).

What Ive been doing: Everything. You dont really just get one job around here, everyone does everything pretty much. Ive been in the kitchen, raking, quad tours, horse tours, cleaning toilets and bathrooms, washing dishes, doing rubbish run, doing whips bull and games at night, dessert, and many other things. All of it isnt that bad though. And your usually doing it with other people so it makes it fun. There is a swimming pool here, i spent all my spare time in it. Ive hiked up to sunset hill to see the sunrise that never came because it was too claudy, taken Milee the cow for a walk with the dogs, saw the bush fires they have been lighting, gone to rodeo where we lasso goats, ridden in the back of Andys truck driving around and listening to country music getting firewood... and the list goes on. Everyday we dress as cow boys and girls. Hat, bandanna and plade(spell check) shirts. Its really great fun. The farm was such a great experience and eally tough to leave but we had to continue our other crazy adventures.

For my birthday on the farm we decided to dress like cave women and men, It was great fun.

What else. The weather is usually hot during the days and nights now aswell. Ive seen heaps of red bellied black snake. One of the most dangerous snakes. We ate on of them one night, it was actuall really good tasting. Kind of like salty chicken rib or something. I used to live in a little room by myself attached to 5 other rooms with the other staff. I ended up moving into a caravan with beth because we spent all our time together anyways so it seemed logical. I actually had space to put my stuff. Drawers and a closet. So amazing. A little heater/air con and fridge.Ive been taking lots of pictures and videos that you will see when I come home. They are halarious. I think you guys would really love this place.

Not sure what else to write about at Kroombit. So ill leave it there for now and if you have more questions let me know and ill write you back.

 Love you all to the moon and back. LOVE LOVE Jess. <3 <3 <3
More to come on Western Australia!!

So I left working on the boats to meet up with Kelly in Brisbane. Hard to leave the Whit sundays and all my friends cause they were all so amazing. So I flew down to Brisbane. Got off the plane then realized I had no clue where to go. Walked around inside, outside, back inside., found a lady and asked "where do i go to find out how I can get to the place I want to go?" Really stupid question but I didnt know how to work it any better. So she directed me to the bus terminal where they do shuttle buses to hostils. How convinient! So i make it to the hostil and start checking in when I hear someone running towards me. And sure enough Kelly is wrapped around me! I was so happy and excited and a little emotional! So overwhelmed, but in a good way. She was wearing a Tee Shirt that said Canadian drinking Team and handed me one!! I was number 1 and she was number 3. She said she just liked that number. So she walks me back to her room and I ask which bed is hers and she points to the one around the corner which happens to have KERRY ANDERSON (best friend if you don't know her)  LYING FACE DOWN WEARING THE NUMBER TWO CANADIAN DRINKING TEAM SHIRT!! I COMPLETELY LOST IT. NOT REALLY SURE WHAT HAPPENED FOR THE NEXT 30 MINS OTHER THEN THE PART ON VIDEO (yes they got a video) I WAS SCREAMING FIRST THEN I THINK I KEPT SAYING F NO, F NO... THEN OHH MAN OHH MANN!! THEN I COULDNT BREATH. THEN I MAY HAVE STARTED CRYING AND LAUGHING AND SCREAMING AND HUGGING HER. (still not really believe this was happening< wait till you see the video, you"ll understand then) (and yes all of this has to be in caps cause i was that excited) AND THIS JUST KEPT REPEATING FOR A WHILE. About an hour after I would say I kind of composed myself. Still don't know how i didnt realize she was coming, beacuse apparently everyone at home knew. Good on you guys for keeping it a secret! Best surprise of my entire life. Don't think much more could beat that! So we went to Byron Bay together (although they had jsut gone there the two of them the day before, it was something we ahd to do all together!!). Byron was amazing as usual. I tried teaching them how to surf which was great fun. And I was able to surf again! Which I had been missing since living on an island. From Byron Bay we headed backto Brisbane for a night then off to Noosa. In Noosa they went down to the Australia Zoo ( I had already been and its expensive)  and I went on a coastal and rainforest walk with a girl named Alexis we met in our room. It was amazing. We were constantly looknig for Koalas (which we never found) that by the end of the walk our necks hurt so bad! Though we did find a Goanna (google it) which I almost steped on which looking for a koala. There about 2 and a half feet long. The next day I took Kelly and Kerry on the same walk because it was so gorgeous. After Noosa we headed to Rainbow beach just for the night. Didn't really have time to do much there. Then we made out way to 1770/Agnes Waters and did Scooter Roo (its a tour on Scooters that have been made to look like little choppers) It was fun to get back on a so called bike but sketchy to be around so many people who have never riden in there life. People cutting you off everywhere. I think the 3 of us were a little ... aggrivated by the end of the trip. But it was a beautiful ride none the less. From there we headed to my long lost home Airlie. I was so happy to be back. And I got to see every one from the island again. The first night everyone was in Airlie for Bens birthday. One fo the days we did a day trip out to the reef for snorkeling and to go to white haven. It was so hard to actually pay for a trip since I never had before because I was the host on the boat. But it was well worth it. The food on the boat we went on was great and it was a really nice boat aswell. We would have gone on my boat but it wasnt going out the days we were there. So now I fianlly had to say my goodbyes to Cissi (Who I had been with since February) and Glen ( My deck hand who I had been with constantly for a month and a half). So I miss them heaps but hopefully will see them again, fingers crossed! After spending a few days in Airlie we went to Magnetic Island. Gorgeous place. Stayed there for 2 nights. Did some hikes, snorkeling, went for a run and some swims, saw some Wallabies (they look like little kangaroos) and saw some turtles. I won 10 free nights at a hostil called base which is located all over Australia in a dance competition. Loads of fun. The first participated aswell and won free drinks. From there we went over to Mission beach. Not a whole lot there but we did go WHITE WATER RIVER RAFTING, WITH WAS LEGIT! Probably the best thing I paid for in Australia! The three of us had such a blast. Doing all this crazy stuff. I think Im hooked and will have to go at home for sure! Got some really funny pictures. Im sure one of the girls will post them on Facebook really soon. So crossed that one off my list of 50 things and more things to do before I die. So we finally made it to Cairns (our destination). There we went out on a boat and did SCUBA DIVING (okay this and rafting tie for best thing to do in Australia). We started snorekling for the first 25 mins waiting for our turn to go out to the reef scuba diving. Then went Scuba diving for like half an hour. And it was amazing. Felt like Ariel. Saw NEMO!!! but the best experience. So be able to stay under water. And the coarals and fish were amazing! So colourful and bright and awesomely shaped. There was this one fish that wsa black and probably almost my size swimming right beside us. And the water was super clear. Until my googles started to fog up. And there wasnt really anything I could do. But could still see. Pheww! After scuba diving we went to Green isalnd for a little then back to the boat and did more snorkling. So this was the girls last night before they were gonig to fly back to Brisbane. And we had a big night planned out, but then I got the flu... erghh. No fun so I ended up saying goodbyt to them in the worst state possible I think. But I had the best time ever with them. Im sure they will tell you even more stories but i dont have the time to write them all. Still can't believe they both came all the way to see me. BEST FRIENDS EVER!! They totally made my trip. So they left and I managed to get work at a Cattle station called Kroombit (uits where backpackers go to get the "farm experience") So ill be getting there in a weeks time. Before hand thoguh I met up with some people and were going to do a road trip to Cape Tribulation and Port Douglas and Townsville. Them im going to bus down to Rockhampton where the farm is and they are going to continue there trip. So super happy everything has fallen into place once again. Cause before the girls were leaving I had no clue what I was going to do! But all is well. I will update you soon about the road trip and the farm. Much love. Jess♥

So I am still working on the boats. And its still great fun. I finally got my first day off today!! WOO WOO! Finally! I really needed it. Ive been working staight from the 30th of June. So its nice to relax for a bit. We were doing 3 trips a week so pretty much we would pick people up on monday at 2 till Wednesday at 1, drop them off and pick up a new group on Wednesday at 2 and drop off on Friday at 1. Pick up Saturday at 2 and drop off Monday at 1 and start all over again. So I literally got one night off a week. So really really long days (usually from 6am till 9pm). But its crazy how many amazing people I have met. Although you do get the rude drunks, but I guess its all part of the whole experience. Last night we celebrated one of the girls birthdays from Airlie that I've met through Glen (the deck hand). Really nice girl. We went to her place and made cocktails with Watermelon, orange juice, lime, ice and vodka. Really yummy. The weather here is amazing at the moment. Had a bit of clouds for a couple days but back to blue skys now. Other then the trips havent been doing much else. Filippa left to go travel on her own. So its just Cecilia and myself now, with my Kelly coming to visit me soon! Talked to her on Skype this morning for about an hour. Can't believe she is actually coming. Its crazy. I'm going to have heapd of fun with her. Can't wait. But my time is up on the internet. Update you soon ♥

So I've been staying at the resort for about a week and a half now. And a couple days ago I found out that I'm going to be the host on the sailing boat that does the sailing trips to White Haven beach/ snorkeling... ect. So I just finished my first trip yesterday. And it was so much fun. Not the best weatehr but it didnt even matter. Saw so many things and had heaps of fun with all the people on the boat. I have another trip im leaving for in about an hour. So pretty much the trip is a 3 day 2 night excursion. We leave at about 2pm on the first day and sail over to the island. I take them for a bush walk then we eat dinner then do some drinking games and so forth. Kareoke has been really popular. On the second day we sail to White Haven beach, eat some luch then sail to Glen and Simons (the boat crew) secret snorkeling spot. Then head back to the resort. On the third day we sail out to do some more snorkeling then drop them back off in Airlie beach. Its pretty much the sickess job someone can have! And I get paid for it.  AHAH Bonus! Being on the boat is sick. I pretty much pull on ropes when they tell me to, They let me drive when they are busy, I keep people entertained, clean here and there, make some lunch, and enjoy the trip. Im having so much fun its unbelievable. Last night I stayed in Airlie beach to celebrate Canada day! And man was it fun. There was a bar where the owners are Canadian so they had a big party there. I still have "I am canadian" writen on my legs and it wont come off. So many Canadians. Its cool that even half way across the world we still get together and celebrate for our country. Hopefully everyone else had an amazing time! But I must go and catch my boat back to the island! I love everyone. LOVE LOVE LOVE.