Gnocchi

JetStar: You can travel around Australia on Jetsaver Light tickets for about 35 US dollars a trip. You don't get to check in any luggage and it's $80 if you do. They do not feed you or give you water. Tent pegs cannot be carried onto the aircraft as they can be used as a weapon. They do not check ID, they barely even check tickets. Liquids of any size can be carried on.

Byron Bay

Cape Byron: Typical Australian beach town and home of Australia's most easterly point. There's a cool lighthouse, good food and really annoying Aussie teenagers.

The Arts Factory: Canadian chick at reception thinks she's cooler than she really is. I didn't know it was possible for someone to be nice and bitchy simultaneously. This place is hippee haven. Their cafe food is reasonably priced and kicks ass. The first 3 rows at the cinema are cow print lounge couches where you get to lie down with a teddy bear to watch the one movie they play once a night. The shuttle drops off in front of Noodle Box and picks up in front of the train tracks.

Gold Coast

Surfers Paradise: Looks just like mainstream America with too many chain restaurants and high-rise hotels. Everything closes at 5:30pm so if you plan on eating dinner, go early.

Aquarius: British chick at reception needs longer shirts. Can't understand a word she says. They advertise a $2 breakfast deal, but you have to tell them the night before so they can actually go and buy toast.

Dreamworld: Rollercoasters make me vomit.

White Water World: Best water park ever, but only because I was the only one there. There were more employees than there were park goers. Take the theme park express bus from Gold Coast to any of the 4 parks for only 6 Australian dollars. No need for a shuttle if you want to save a couple dollars.

Rainbow Beach

Debbie's place is a steal. Quality room for a good price, but you have to stay two consecutive nights or there's a 20 dollar cleaning fee. Debbie herself is a crazy lady who drives like a maniac. She will take you to the beach or drop you off at the sandblow, but be prepared to jump and roll because she will not stop the car. Fantastic stretch of beach with colorful sand, but watch out for the 4WD vehicles.

Fraser Island

Tours to Fraser Island leave from Rainbow Beach or Hervey Bay. The Eurong Beach Resort serves a lot of cold pasta and cold rosemary chicken. The rooms look like hospitals in third world countries. Watch out for dingos and even more 4WD Toyotas. Largest sand island in the world with a cool shipwreck that's a huge tourist attraction.

Noosa

Noosa is the La Jolla Village of Australia. Fancy restaurants, old rich couples in perfectly tailored white pants, and a Sheraton hotel. Turkey looking fowls run rampant and a river runs through it. If you are on a budget, but require to stay on Hastings St., see John and Mary at the Noosa Village Motel. Pumpkin gnocchi is delicious.

Greg sings in the shower.

Because I haven't seen the Opera House from every angle imaginable, this is what it looks like from the Harbour Bridge. My computer likes to red underline the word Harbour. It wants me to write HarBOR. I spend the night looking for ledges in order to take long exposure shots, so is the story of my life. Trying to hold your hand perfectly still for 3.5 seconds is harder than it sounds.

From Milson's point, you can look back at South Sydney (Glory Glory to it). This skyline is not quite as iconic as New York City, but I think it's way more colorful (colOURful).

And this brings us to Luna Park, located at Milson's Point. For 25 dollars you can get unlimited rides after 5pm on Friday nights. Apparently, every annoying, bratty teenager in Sydney also got this memo. Since I don't get off of work until 7pm on Fridays, this gives me (and my boyfriend) only 2 hours to fight past 16 year-old Australians and make the most of Friday Night Lunacy.

Barrels of Fun = not fun. Possibly the scariest ride at Luna Park/Coney Island and it's not even a ride. Since I tend to fall walking on flat ground, I should've known better. I did fine until the second barrel, where it changed directions. My brain does not work fast enough to adapt to this change. Never have I felt more like a hamster.

Gigantic Slides = fun. I used to love these things as a kid. It's the one where you sit with your feet in those potato sacks and the guy at the top is supposed push you when it's your turn to go. This guy did not push. I sat, I waited, turned and looked at him, and then scooted my bum onto the slide.

Devil's Drop Giant Slide = steeper version of Gigantic Slide.

Wild Mouse = omg, I am going to fall off. This is where you go if you want a picture of you on a roller coaster with the Harbour Bridge in the background.

Dodgem City = bumper cars are classic.

Ranger = upside down pirate ship ride. I'm really glad I skipped lunch that day.

Ferris Wheel = another classic.

Carousel = mostly horses, but every carousel throws in the random animal. This particular one had a couple turkeys.

Where am I going and why am I in a handbasket?

Things I cannot find in Sydney:

toilet seat covers -- If you value toilet seat covers, don't leave California.  

heated apartments -- It is colder inside than it is outside.  

trash cans -- I walk around with trash in my purse until I get home.  

bus maps -- Just get on a bus and hope for the best.  

cinnamon french toast -- 23847192 types of bread and not a single one for french toast.

turkey and avocado on sourdough -- I just want a sandwich... Is it too much to ask for?

buffalo wings -- Yesterday, someone asked me what a buffalo wing was.

Reese's Peanut Butter Cups -- someone send me some.  

Urban Outfitters -- where do all the hipster indie kids shop?

orange chicken -- buy lemon chicken and ask for orange sauce.

ranch dressing -- my pizza is lonely without it.  

Trader Joe's -- where am I suppose to find chocolate covered peanut butter filled salted pretzels?

fontina cheese -- we needed this for Stefano's chicken medallion.  

peanut butter M&Ms -- however, mint M&Ms are abundant. 

corn tortillas -- fish tacos are also non-existent.  

shaving cream -- Skintimate? or not.

Gözleme

A Gözleme is a quesadilla without the mexican.

Week two in Sydney:

Over sleeping

Getting lost

Vivid Lights

New people

I need a tripod.

Beyond the Sea

Week one in Sydney:

Sleeping in

Eating out

Cloud watching

Job searching

My feet hurt.