Our week in Australia started in Gold Coast, which is about
in the middle of the continent’s eastern coast, and we stayed in two areas
while there.
First was Surfer’s Paradise, which gave the impression of
being an Australian version of Florida’s Panama City Beach: superficial and
touristy, but instead of an unnecessary number of shops selling
airbrush T-shirts, they sold UGG boots. Since it was winter, there weren’t
really any crowds, but there also weren't the warmest conditions. We did spend
some time on the beach, and even though the calm, tepid waves were inviting, a
fierce wind constantly blew sand into my eyes and mouth and kept us from
jumping in. I may enjoy a trip to Surfers under different circumstances, but I
wasn't that impressed.
After two days we shifted to Coolangatta, which was still a
bit touristy, but not nearly as bad, and I saw past its faults because it
had the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. This is where I fulfilled my one dream of
Australia: I fed kangaroos! Yes, I understand that Aussies regard them as pests
(even if they're a national symbol); yes, I understand that I was only just
eschewing “touristy" places and activities in the above paragraph;
yes, I know that souvenir shops capitalize on foreigners' fascination with
these critters and sell kangaroo pelts, dried paws (as backscratchers,
seriously), and a few other parts you wouldn't believe. However, I defy you to
care about all that after having a kangaroo place its tiny little paw
on your palm while it eats out of your hand. Even though I was a little
uneasy about standing in a crowd of weighty marsupials, I really enjoyed the
experience.
Currumbin also had a few mournful-sounding dingoes, a drowsy
Tasmanian devil, and few gorgeous native owls. A large enclosure of koalas made
me squeal with delight, and I was tempted to pay the $30 fee to hold one, but I
thought better of it after watching them for a bit and noticing how often and
how nonchalantly they dropped their bodily waste. The park also had a rope course,
which was a challenge at times but mostly a blast, due in no small part to the
fact that Jordan and I were wearing matching jumpsuits required and provided by
the park. Really I spent a great deal of time doubled over laughing at Jordan's
flailing limbs as he tackled some of the difficult parts of the course. Don't
worry, I made a fool of myself, too.
Next, we flew to Melbourne, the second-largest city in
Australia. Its gridded streets consist of large boulevards and smaller avenues,
which are joined together with alleys and lanes brimming with coffee shops and
boutiques that draw in residents and visitors alike. Jordan and I did a walking
tour our first morning there, and I enjoyed winding through the city at a
casual pace that allowed me to soak in the life and history there. Melbourne
has impressive Victorian structures and modern buildings in its CBD, as well as
smaller, charming edifices in its nearby neighborhoods. Another nice way to see
the city was by riding the old trolley that encircles the downtown. We spent a
good bit of time walking through the city and one of its nearby neighborhoods,
Fitzroy, where we found a home-cooked Greek meal and a hole-in-the-wall coffee
shop. Although I was exhausted from all the walking, I wish we could have
stayed longer, and I hope to visit again.
After less than 48 hours in Melbourne, we flew to Sydney,
and our first night there we navigated the subway system to attend a show at
the Opera House. Beforehand, we got dinner at one of the many restaurants on
the Circular Quay around the harbor; I can’t remember what I ate, because all I
recall is the brilliant scenery of the harbor, the enormous bridge spanning it,
and the Opera House. Then we made our way to The Man in Black, which was
a tribute to Johnny Cash that narrated his life and of course included many of
his songs. Jordan and I enjoyed the show, and getting to see a performance at
the Sydney Opera House—even though we were just in one of its small performance
spaces—is something that I never imagined I'd be able to do.
The following day we wandered around parts of the city,
including its large Botanical Garden, an old part of town called The Rocks, and
the Circular Quay again. It’s a big city, but even with its huge buildings, it
still felt welcoming. The harbor is certainly an impressive sight; I agree with
Jordan that the Opera House is something that lives up to the hype. At least,
it did for us.
My two weeks with Jordan zoomed by. After
visiting six cities (and practically memorizing the airlines’ magazines),
he flew home and left me to continue the next part of my travels.
