Total Basset Case: Down Under: Part 1

Apr 29, 2013

Down Under: Part 1

Hi friends!!! I am so glad to be back to the blogging scene! I missed you guys like whoa. Although I see someone (side eye Floyd) was kind enough to fill in while I was gone. Thanks for that Bud. 

So you may have seen on Instagram, but Mister and I took the blog spring break quite literally and headed out of town. To say this trip was a loooong time in the making is an understatement. We have been planning this big guy literally for years and the fact that it finally became a reality still has me pinching myself.
Where did we go you ask?! 
 Oh just a little place called...AUSTRALIA!
I still can not believe that we traveled to literally the other side of the world and back.

Why Australia? Well, for a little back story, Mister studied abroad in Brisbane, Australia for 6 months in college. He absolutely loved his time there (who wouldn't) and he has always wanted to take me back. And who am I to say no to that?!
While there he became good friends with an Aussie named Jane, and they have kept in contact all these years. I've always heard nothing but wonderful things about Jane and her family, who Mister also came to know and love. Well Jane and her husband have been inviting us to come over for awhile now, and we finally took them up on it.  And I am beyond thrilled that we did - not only was it beautiful beyond words, but Jane and her entire family were the world's best hosts.  I can't say enough about their kindness and generosity - they truly were the most gracious hosts, and I can't thank them enough. 
Like I said, we've been planning and saving and plannnnning and saving for this trip for a very long time and the wait was more than worth it! It was truly a trip of a lifetime- though we hope to will make it back in the future. 

I am going to devote this week to recapping the trip, if nothing else than a online travel journal of memories for us. I kept a written journal along the way so hopefully between the two I'll be able to remember everything. So just a forewarning if I get long winded or it's picture overload here for the next little bit. I'll be sure to throw in some pictures and anecdotes of Floyd's time away as well to break it up.  He also had some adventures of his own. 

Now on to the fun trip details!  
We flew out of Cincinnati and to Brisbane on a Wednesday (Floyd's birthday nonetheless, I felt terrible) and arrived in Brisbane on a Friday. Talk about craziness. We missed out on an entire day of our lives. Thankfully the awesome plane accommodations, the sweetest staff (with the best accents), the delicious food and unlimited snacks and wine made up for it.

Once in Brisbane, Jane picked us up and we had coffee and Tim Tams (more on these delicious treats later. Jane had them on our pillow when we arrived and I was immediately in love!) with her and her husband.  
It was a bit gray and rainy that day but we didn't let that stop us!  We spent the day touring all around Brisbane on foot and via their river ferry, the City Cat.  Because we had flown basically overnight and had a row of 4 seats to sleep in we weren't (thankfully) too jet lagged and able to take advantage of the full day.   I was so glad we didn't miss a day of excitement and touring due to having to sleep.
 Brisbane is a great, vibrant, bustling and health-focused city. There are bike and walking paths everywhere. The architecture and the way the city is laid out is very interesting, and fairly easy to navigate.
On Saturday the weather was pretty yucky but again, it didn't stop us, and we toured around some more. After a delicious breakfast, we toured the XXXX Brewery and Mister showed me around his old stomping grounds, UQ. It was so fun to see the campus and where he spent so much time. 
 That night we had pizza and wine at their favorite pizza place, Vespa Pizza- yum!
 Brisbane at night as we rode the City Cat.

Sunday the sun finally came out and they took us up the Gold Coast to Rainbow Bay to spend the day at the beach.  
Mark, Jane and their adorable son, Sam.

 It was the first of the many beautiful beaches we visited. The coastline of their beaches are so pretty and have mountains in the background. Perfection. The coasts wind and curve much unlike the straight coast lines we have in the states. It was a beautiful day and so fun to watch the surfers and just lay on the beach and relax. 

Next up: Byron Bay and 'hiring' a car and driving on the opposite side of the road! 

P.s.: I collected sand and shells from all the beaches we went to and plan on doing some sort of DIY project with them. Any cute ideas??

Linking up with Sami, Leeann, Carly and Molly

23 comments:

Anonymous said...

The brewery looks awesome and that beach is sooo beautiful! Can't wait to hear more about your trip!

Katie @ Team Skelley said...

How exciting! I have always wanted to see Australia. I bet you missed Mr. Floyd! :D

Alexa said...

I actually squealed when I saw that you went Down Unda! Right along with Italy, Australia is our "vacation of a lifetime" destination and we're already making plans for it in, oh, thirty or so years. I'm SO excited to read your recaps and learn more about what seems the most wonderful place in the world!

Glad y'all had an amazing time! You deserved it! :)

Shelley said...

oh my gosh.. i'm sooo jealous! i've always wanted to go to australia! can't wait for your week of recaps!

also, i take the seashells i always collect from vacations and turn them into christmas ornaments using clear ornaments from michaels :)

Helene said...

amazing!! i am dying to go to Australia!! looks like such a gorgeous place and looks like y'all had so much fun!

Jodi said...

WOW!!! I can't believe you kept this a secret from the blog world. Haha! What an amazing vacation. I really want to go there so I can't wait to read all of your recaps. Welcome back!

Candice Williams said...

Oh wow! No wonder you've not been blogging!' How exciting for you!!

Sarah Tucker said...

Totally jealous!! So happy you got to experience such a wonderful place :)

Betty said...

I was wondering what you were up to...but Australia?! Wow! Looks like you had an awesome time!!

CALLIE said...

O my goodness friend... trip of a lifetime, for sure!! I cannot wait to read/see more :)

Unknown said...

ah, this makes me really miss Australia ... and tim tams!!

Because Shanna Said So said...

Love that we both got to travel on dream vacations!! Australia is on my bucket list! I can't wait to read your recaps all week!! So happy you guys got to enjoy it together. I want to know how many kangaroos you saw. ;) welcome home!! Xoxo

Katie said...

So I know I've seen an overview of all your pictures but I cannot wait to read all the recaps!! Love trips & planning. I also love that you got shells from all the beaches. I cannot wait to see what DIY project you come up with!

Allison said...

So fun!!! I can't wait to see more pictures!

Life by Liz said...

This looks incredible, I can't wait to read more about your trip! I'm studying abroad in New Zealand this semester, and I'm taking a trip to Australia in June, so this post just made me a thousand times more excited!!

Life by Liz said...

This looks incredible, I can't wait to read more about your trip! I'm studying abroad in New Zealand this semester, and I'm taking a trip to Australia in June, so this post just made me a thousand times more excited!!

Unknown said...

How cool! Someday I would love to visit there!

Elisa of Fancy Free Me said...

Welcome back! Lets do lunch so I can hear all about it!

Kait said...

Uh oh...Sam looks like he's getting a little grizzly...

Unknown said...

wow gorgeous photos! would love to go back to Australia again one day!

Katie said...

love love love! This sounds like an amazing trip lady!

Jayme @ Her Late Night Cravings said...

Wow girl! That is some trip!! I've always wanted to go to Australia!! can't wait to see more of your trip!!

Jayme @ Her Late Night Cravings

Darby Hawley said...

wow what a trip of a lifetime!!!