Exploring the Bundall Farmers Market
It was a beautiful autumn Sunday, and I had heard about a farmers market in the Surfers Paradise area, so I decided to check it out for myself. The market is located on the mainland side of the Surfers Paradise suburb. Getting there from my apartment took about 40 minutes on foot, although it's only an 11-minute drive by car. To get there, I took the tram to Cypress Avenue, turned onto Elkhorn Avenue, crossed the Surfers Paradise-Chevron Island Bridge, walked across Chevron I
Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
This Saturday night, I got to experience my first Australian sporting event! I attended an Australian football game, which is commonly known as "footy." The match was between the Gold Coast Suns and the Geelong Cats and took place at Metricon Stadium on the Gold Coast in Queensland. Getting there from Surfers Paradise was surprisingly easy. All I had to do was take the tram to the last stop, Broadbeach South, and then hop on a bus to the stadium. One of the best parts was tha
Bush Hike in Canungra
Today, I had originally planned to hike to Killarney Glen Waterfalls, home to a beautiful natural pool that is famously shaped like a heart. Unfortunately, the falls have been permanently closed due to numerous accidents over the years. Despite warning signs advising visitors not to jump into the pools, many people continued to do so. Tragically, several hikers were injured after slipping on rocks, hitting their heads, and drowning, which ultimately led to the site's closure.
KEI Photo Contest!
Hey everyone! I'm excited to share that five of my photos were selected for the KEI Photo Contest! It would mean so much to me if you could take a moment to vote for my photos. Voting is easy: Click the link below. Find my photos. Like them on Facebook. Voting ends on May 15th, so every vote counts! Thank you so much for your support. I really appreciate it! http://mailchi.mp/keiabroad/vote-now-in-keis-student-photo-contest
Grocery Shopping in Australia vs. America
I'm a little more than halfway through my semester abroad in Australia (don't remind me!), and during my time here I've noticed quite a few differences when it comes to grocery shopping. I still remember my first week in Australia and how frustrating my first grocery shopping trip was. For most of your grocery needs, you'll usually shop at either Coles or Woolworths, Australia's two largest supermarket chains. From my personal experience, I prefer Coles. I found it to be slig
My First Australian Labour Day
Less than a week after celebrating my first Australian public holiday, ANZAC Day, I got to celebrate my second one, Labour Day, just six days later. Labour Day in Australia commemorates the achievements of the Australian labor movement and recognizes workers' rights. The holiday traces its origins to the eight-hour workday movement, which advocated for a balanced lifestyle: eight hours of work, eight hours of recreation, and eight hours of rest. This movement played an import
Exploring More of Burleigh Heads - Tallebudgera Beach
Fun day trip ahead! This past Friday, I took another trip to Burleigh Heads. I've visited Burleigh Heads a few times before, but this time I decided to explore a little more and enjoy the beautiful autumn weather. A fun fact about Friday, April 28, is that Queensland experienced a record-low autumn temperature of 72°F (22°C). To many Australians, anything close to 20°C is considered quite cold. After living in Australia for a little over two months and arriving during the sum
Australians vs. Americans: Cultural Differences
I've been living in Australia for a little over two months now, and the longer I stay here, the more cultural differences I notice between Australian and American life. While the two countries have a lot in common, there are definitely some unique quirks that make Australia stand out. Here are some of the biggest differences I've noticed so far. 1. Australians Drive on the "Wrong" Side of the Road In Australia, people drive on the left side of the road, unlike in the United S
Bali Etiquette: Do's and Don'ts for Visitors
When should you, and when should you not, enter a temple? What is the correct way to give and receive something? Most Balinese people are incredibly kind and polite, which means they may not always tell you when you've accidentally broken a cultural custom. To help you avoid any awkward situations, here are some important do's and don'ts I learned while visiting Bali. Entering a Temple DO: Wear clothing that covers your shoulders and knees. Many temples require visitors to dr
Celebrating My First ANZAC Day in Australia
Today, I got to celebrate my first Australian public holiday: ANZAC Day! Scroll down to learn more about what ANZAC Day is all about. What is ANZAC Day? ANZAC Day, observed on April 25, is one of Australia's most important national holidays. It marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during World War I. ANZAC Day is similar to Veterans Day and Memorial Day in the United States. Like those holidays, it is a day to ho
