Phillip Island

March 2 – 3, 2019

“If we were meant to stay in one place, we’d have roots instead of feet.”

Rachel Wolchin

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This past weekend I went to Phillip Island which was the first time ive traveled in Australia. Gettting there was a slight adventure because three of us had to get down to the other La Trobe campus which was 2 hours away. We ended up finding a ride down but had to be up to leave at 6am. The ride was smooth and gorgeous as I got to watch the sunrise on the way down. Once we got to the other campus we hopped on a tour bus, with a ton of other international students from the other campus, to head to Phillip Island. Once arriving we went straight to the pub to get food and I got a parma. It was very mouth watering and scrumptious. Shortly after we headed to the cape woolamai beach. We pulled up to the beach and stepped out of the van a warm breeze softly blew through my hair carrying the familiar smell of summer beaches with it. I smile played across my lips as excitement began to bubble within as the realization hit me. I am in another country in beautiful 80 ℉, clear blue skies about to go play in the ocean with a ton of other people from around the world on this trip for the same reason.

We started off by walking on the beach to the cliffs that overlooked the beach below. (see pictures below) I was in awe by how gorgeous this place was and how the ocean reflected back the vibrant color of the sky. I am so happy and appreciative of the opportunity to see such a gorgeous place. Everyone in the group started off quite and a bit awkward as many of us did not know eachother, but the second we hit the water all barriers came down. We spent the majority of the next few hours laughing, talking and diving through waves. I even brought my gopro out to test it out, I was able to get some cool shot of friends and I diving into the waves. (those will hopefully be up at a later point somewhere).

After we all headed back to the hostel to clean up, this was the first hostel I have ever stayed in. It was very clean and cute with rooms of 4-8 bunk beds. Everyone showered and then got dressed for dinner and the Penguin March. Dinner was pizza by the ocean and the boardwalk. There was a cute little festival going on at the time with live music and a ton of tents set up with people selling jewelry, clothes, shoes, food and gelato. I got a coffee and chocolate gelato mix which was very rich, creamy and smooth. I savored every last bite! This is also the closet thing I can get to soft serve because they only have vanilla soft serve from McDonalds (which let me tell you is NOT the same as soft serve twist from a good icecream shop in the states). I was happy to settle for the gelato though while swaying to the bands music that happily pulsed through my body. After we headed over to the place where the Penguin March took place. This is a daily event that happens where people can go watch these tiny cute penguins wattle in from sea from their daily feeding. It was the coolest experience yet! The penguins were absolutely adorable (see pictures below). After people can walk along the board walks and see the penguins waddle off to their little nests. I sat around quietly observing groups of penguins behaviors and interactions with each other as time slipped away from me. Soon I realized the time and that I had to meet the group on the bus or Ill be late( I ended up being the last one on the bus…whoops). We headed straight back to the Hostel to change and hang around the common room. Everyone was sitting around talking about the days events or getting involved in an intense game of mafia or UNO. I played mafia (even though I think warewolf is better) till almost 11 at night. After many people headed off to bed but a small group of us went for a walk to the beach to look at the stars. You wouldn’t think of it but the stars are completely different over here then back in the states. As I looked up at the twinkling stars above I was looking for the Big Dipper or the North star but instead I saw a sky that I did not recognize. I sat on the warm sand and looked up to appreciate the different view I am getting to see because of the amazing opportunity I have gotten to study in this beautiful Country. I am so appreciative to be alive living this life everyday because everyday is a great day to experience a new adventure in life.

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The next morning I woke up early to the sun peaking in through the windows and my bunk mates rustling as they got out of bed. Shortly after the smell of pancakes wafted through the building pulling me out of bed. I threw on a jumper and hopped out of bed to see what was cooking. The leaders of the trip cooked up tons of pancakes for everyone to chow down for breakfast. It was quite scrumptious even though they had only nutella for spread instead of maple syrup. After breakfast we headed to a field to learn how to throw boomerangs then we headed downtown to walk around and grab lunch. I ate a cute fish restaurant right on the water. I tried to solely enjoy my fish bites and chips but a ton of seagulls were getting WAY to close for comfort. In a lot of ways though if felt like home at our beaches where seagulls will no joke take sandwiches out of your hand. (it happened once to my family) These ones at least would flee away after you yelled at them but still sat around begging for food like a homeless puppy just way less cute.

We got to watch a pelican feeding. Their bills are huge! It was so cool to see them up and close but i didn’t get any pictures sadly. After everyone finished up food we headed out to the zoo to see the roos and koalas! We arrived and all quickly shuffled off the bus excited to see a koala and take a picture with the cute animal. Most of the others hadent seen any kangaroos since arriving in Australia unlike the few of us from the Bendigo campus which has them hopping around EVERYWHERE. I dont think I have gone a day without seeing a kangaroo. I have not gotten to pet one or feed one so this was really cool to be able to get close and personal with the kangaroos at the zoo. The koala was also awesome although sleeping (they are sleeping practically 90% of the day) they are still adorable animals that I can now say I have seen and got to pet! There were a few other reptiles and animals but you couldn’t touch or get too close to these ones. Before I knew It the trip was over and I was on a 2 hour train ride home. As I was watching the land scape rush past me all I could think was what a fantastic way to start off my semester and if this is the start then it will only get better from here. I can not wait for all the adventures to come this semester and how it will shape me as a person.

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