Team Canada comes for a visit

This entry is dedicated to “Team Canada” who wanted a taste of the adventures that our “one of a kind eco certified tour” offers.

Four brave women - four days of ab-strengthening laughs:

From trekking to secret waterfall pools, surviving the kings cross night life, and bargaining at the markets, to surfing, scaling the bridge, and beaching…they ‘savoured’ the experiences and had room for seconds!

Team Canada quickly earned a name-change to “Team Australia”, and will conquer the eastern seaboard over one month!

Though their time in Sydney was short, we were pleased to host them and thank them for their fun t-shirts and break-dance lessons.

Come back anytime girls for "just one drink"

- Island Rice (aka: “Team Australia Coach”)

The end of an Era – the surfing saga continues

As mentioned in several previous logs, we have taken up the sport of surfing. No longer is it a hobby, but now a passion. Any spare time we can find, we are on the beach trying to catch wave. We’ve experienced any and every condition you could possibly throw at us and we still keep on fighting.

In recent days we have experienced a phenomenon in Sydney which hasn’t happened in over 30 years. It began as any other ordinary day at work, waiting until the final bell rang before we were off to the beach to catch our usual surf. As we approach the beach, we could see it from a mile away. The waves were the biggest we have ever seen as they gathered to well over 20 feet at some points. Apparently the night before, a cyclone had blown through and built up enough power to create such a magical sight. At first, we spent several minutes watching in awe (as did several other surfers). Once that moment was over, it was time to take on the challenge.

As we entered the water, it was some of the most powerful rips I have ever come across. In seconds we would be swept back where we came from, yet we weren’t about to give up that easily. I am the first to admit that I am by no means an expert surfer and did stay closer to shore as it was probably the safer thing to do (as lifeguards on skidoos were plucking/saving the odd person out of the backwaters). What I can tell you is that once we did get picked up by the wave, the surge of the swell instantly took us to our feet. When we sat on top of the water, it was one of the greatest feelings we ever had.

Once we got out of the water, we knew that we would probably never see this again. That coupled by the change in daylight savings meant an end to our weekday adventures on the beach. As the sun set that final day, our season slowly came to a close leaving us with only the memories of Bondi Beach.

A special thanks to our mate Lee who graciously took us out each day in the vehicle shown on the right. It has definitely been a great ride!

- the lone asian

LOOK OUT BELOW! - Canyoning in the Blue Mountains

Canyoning is defined as doing a hike through a canyon where you will be required to cliff jump into pools of water, abseil (or repel) down or through waterfalls, slide on natural slides and swim in pools of water. Canyons themselves are formed through millions of years of water flowing between mountains, breaking down rock formations and eventually creating a gaping hole to allow the water to flow through (that's your scientific lesson for the day).

My first experience was in Interlakken, Switzerland. As it was great fun and a chance to bond with your mates, I decided to organize a trip out to the Blue Mountains to see if this could be repeated.

I was definatley impressed with the canyon we went into. It was called Serendipity. Our journey begins with a hike down a steep path that takes us to the gateway. There we put on our wetsuits and scale down the cliff wall as we are held up by only a piece of rope! From there we continue through puddles of water often reaching waist high. I would have to say our highlight of the day was when we jumped off the ledge into a small pond (rocks on both sides), then followed it up with one final abseil through a waterfall.

Though the overall canyon itself was not as technical as in Switzerland, it was a great way for everyone to feel what it's like to do the sport. It was also another opportunity for us to get a bit more intimate with the natural beauty of the Blue Mountains.

- the lone asian