Ultimate Ultimate Ozzzz!

So here I am Sydney Australia, finally after months of saving for my big dream, me and my partner in crime Erica have made it! What an awesome experience it has been so far. Before we left we had searched through numerous different companies to help and guide us on this adventure of ours. Plenty of websites looked good but none were quite like the Travellers Contact Point Ultimate Oz package. When I stumbled across this on my computer sitting in my room all the way back in Long Island, New York, I thought to myself this was too good to be true! I called up Erica and we had booked it straight away. Packing was quit the challenge and judging from the picture below we did not want to leave one bit of our precious lives behind. Now three months and a week and a half later we have completed the awesome program and it was worth every penny!

The first day of our program was the welcome dinner at Side Bar which just so happened to be convienently underneath our hostel. We had more than an amazing time meeting all the other participants in the program, as well as enjoying a few drinks to celebrate our first night out in Sydney! The next morning a little groggy we made our way bright and early on a walk to Darling Harbour, and let me tell you the Sydney Opera House is an absolute treat to see in person, pictures really do this wonderfully designed piece of architecture no justice. Along the walk we saw numerous street performers, one in reminiscent of Jimi Hendrix which me and erica were joyfully dancing to.Reminding me that Australia is well culutured with many music and art scenes. After seeing the famous bridge as well we made our way throught the Botanical Gardens which was a nice relaxing scenic walk with the breeze blowing off of the water.

After a long day of walking and sight seeing it was time for a little enjoyment. We made our way to World Bar which was in Kings Cross. This place was quite the scene with little teapots strung across the ceiling, you would order your favorite type of alcoholic shots and pour them into plastic shot glasses as you pleased. Throughout the night though something seemed a bit peculiar, as most of the boys were in attire of girls dresses. Finally we asked one of them and it was actually a promotional deal that if they dressed like that they would receive four free drinks through the night! It was really a laugh to see most muscular guys walking around in petite dresses. We had such a fun night with our instructors and our favorite Belgium boy Ward!

Waking up from an night filled with teapots, it was off on the Sydney Harbour boat cruise. This day is by far my most treasured day of the week during my package with Travellers. First we started off with a tour of all the most famous houses of celebrities including Nicole Kidman and Russell Crowe. Afterwards we stopped off the fish market to enjoy a feast of seafood and picked up some Pure Blondes for the adventurous day we had ahead of us.

After lunch we headed to a private beach to enjoy some soccer or the term they use here is " futbol." We than made our way over to a 40 foot cliff to hurl ourselves off of. Being on the boat the cliff really doesn't look too intimidating, it's only until your all the way up there that it really hits you how high you are. Let me telll you those three seconds suspended in mid air were definitely on my top 3 scariest moment of my life. Yet the accomplished feeling you get afterwards is definitely worth it. Next we made our way to some other cliffs and coastlines, where it was nice to just look out onto the water and feel insignifcant next to the big ocean blue.

During the night we went to The Gaff which is a bar right off Oxford St. Me and Erica instantly fell in love with the vibe of this place and the music selection as well. It was lots of fun partying with all the new friends you meet through the Ultimate OZ package. The next morning I went to a surf camp which was very exciting and thrilling. Afterall Australia is known for their killer waves and famous surf lifestyle. What better way than to learn from real authentic Aussie surfers. Even though I wasn't exactly Kelly Slater, I tried my hardest and had a fun day working out and realize how much hard work goes into being an athletic surfer.

The following day we did the treacherous and long beach walk from Bondi beach to Coogee Beach. Note to readers: Do not drink excessive Toohey's New, Pure Blonde, or VB the night before. Trust me waking up is not fun. But regardless of my hangover the sights of this beach walk were truly breathtaking. Once again seeing pictures on a computer or TV does these clean,immaculate beaches no justice. The trail we walked on snaked all throughout the beaches and up cliffs.

Blue Mountains was scheduled for our last and final day of the package, even though me and Erica had a little bit of a hard start in the morning thinking that the group had left us, we eventually found them and started our two hour journey up to the mountains. These natural wonders are truly a gift in this gorgeous world we live in. It felt like a scene out of the movie Jurassic Park. The waterfalls, cliffs and lush greenery was enough to captivate you for the whole day. The pure vastness of how small we are hits you like a ton of bricks when you look out onto how much land is in front of you. Our tour guide Disco was quite the character telling us stories about magic pudding and how the magpies will eat you if you don't wear empty tubs of ice cream on your head. Haha we were all cracking up at the ridiculous stories he had to share.

Looking back on all my pictures I have taken over the past week, it really is a bittersweet feeling. I cannot stress on what an amazing and worthwhile time I've had with all the guides leading us on this trip. The Ultimate OZ package has completely exceeded my expecatations and I would do it one hundred times over. Without the help of Karin, Dan, Matt, and all the other workers at Travellers I have not got the pleasure of meeting, me and Erica's dream would have not been possible. We look forward to the next year we have here in Sydney because of the comforting and welcoming arms TCP has provided us with! I've met so many different people from all over the world and will continue to expand my horizons. This is just the first step of my travels and I thank TCP for letting us spend our first special week with them!  Book yours now at http://www.ultimateoz.com.au/ Cheers !

- Much Love from my new home Sydney! Katrina J.