Aug 2008

Well they have let me out of the dungeon. At least for one day. How lucky I am. I mean just look at my dire surroundings...

And this is just my favorite picture of me...

Ok, yeah, so that is not me. But isn't it awesome?!

Besitos.
Cristina

Sorry all for the long delay. Turns out there is one computer at the resort and I am pretty sure it dates back to prehistoric times. Remember the dial-up days?! Well I guess in some places, it still exists...

Silky Oaks Lodge, I must admit, is quite amazing. My jaw was dropped to just below sea level when they deposited me at my 'staff accommodations.' Apparently...they have none, so they place you in the same tree house lodges they provide for the guests.

What does this entail you ask? A giant, amazingly soft bed for one. A beautiful white hammock strung across my own personal balcony and - best of all- a three person size jacuzzi! You can imagine my jubilation after sharing a 10 person dorm bed for weeks and a mattress on an awesome, but oh so cold floor in Brisbane. Relief!

The Daintree Rainforest reminds me a lot of Costa Rica. Except I am not 19 (darn), my Dad is not helping me pay for this (darn, darn) and yes, I actually have to work. But life could be worse!

The restaurant is an open-aired wooden lodge with amazing views of the Daintree River and the calming sound of the water seeping across the rocks. Slightly better than a little indoor restaurant in Olney I must say. No offense Mannequin Pis, I did and do love ya still...

Cnuts arrives today and I couldn't be more excited! I can't wait to see her in khaki pants a little white shirt serving wine. Oh how I will laugh so loudly and joyfully yet again. Life, I will say, is most definitely enjoyed best with the love of good friends, and the laughter at all the funny things they do...

Much love to everyone! I hope to have pictures next Sunday...my next day off :-P

love,
Cristina

Hey everyone!

So I have arrived in the beautiful, tropical Cairns and I must say I am all the better for it. I had a nice pleasant sleep in a warm bed, where I did not have to wear a hat and thick socks for once. Viva el norte!

'Twas quite an adventure to get here however. A missed train, led to a missed flight, which led to me being a not-so-happy camper in Australia. Bad luck aside, I arrived in Cairns just after 5pm and in perfect timing for an important phone call. A job offer...

And now the great news. Cnuts has secured a VISA. Thank god almighty. In spite of a 6 month stint in South Africa, she does NOT have AIDS or TB, so Australia has so kindly agreed to let her enter the country. Hope they don't regret it!

Tuesday she will finally arrive. And we have jobs. Hurrah. Her and I will both be working at the Silky Oats Lodge in the rainforest. Not too shabby: http://www.silkyoakslodge.com.au

They give us free rooms, free meals, and even pay us on top of it. Considering we will be in the middle of nowhere, this ought to grant us enough time to save some funds for...Caitlin and Gabrielle! Wahoo. Both of who arrive Sept. 15th.

For the first time in a few weeks this girl has a huge smile on her face and an excitement in her step. Hope Cnuts doesn't mess it all up ;-)

Besitos!
-Cristina

To most out there, I bet you have never heard of "couch surfin" and truthfully, neither had I before $40 a night hostels in Japan.

Couchsurfing.com is an amazing new network of cool people who kindly volunteer up a couch or bed in their homes to fellow travelers. And in the case of Why Not Street, 10 or 12 at a time! The idea behind it is that you enjoy the comfort and warmth of someone's house, and in turn, when you return to your country, you offer yours as well.

What it blesses you with though, is not just a free bed to sleep in, but also a warm reception in a new city. Here at Why Not street, that reception couldn't be more welcoming. In a house of 6, made up of students from several countries, Why Not St has opened their doors, their kitchens, and their hearts (cliche i know) to any traveler who comes there way. Quite an amazing bunch.

So here we sit, 16 of us in total, 9 countries represented eating an amazing home-cooked Italian meal, made by -nothing better- than a beautiful, sweet Italian girl from Milan. And a salad with strawberries and avocado a la Hurley household.

This world may be quite large, but right now, truthfully it feels quite small.

Love you guys and missing my family at Myrtle Beach,
Cristina

So the pictures have surfaced. And YES, this place actually does exist. Here is a little photo tour of the amazing Whitsunday Islands and my place within it. Please enjoy...I know I did :-P

The glorious boat:

Our fabulous skipper:

My wonderful room:

A wonderful life:

The girls:

The guys:

The fish:

And Spiderman:

The amazing view:

Heaven 1 :

Heaven 2: (also known as Whitehaven)

Me in Heaven:

A shot from the next episode of Lost:

The sunsets, oh lord the sunsets...

And of course, what would Australia be without the animals...

Kangaroos:

Kangaroos:

And more Kangaroos:

And how about a whale...or two

Oh my, gotta love Australia...no?!?

Besitos,
Cristina