Woah, hey-e-yay, what can I do?

Ohh, Saves the Day. It's that spring-to-summer weather we've got over here, I can't help but throw on Through Being Cool. It's pretty much mandatory, I swear.

So, I'm back at the Ponds. Best trip EVER. has concluded. And, by all accounts, it lived up to its name. I suppose I owe it to you to discuss the last two days of adventure before proceeding any further.

Saturday was a day of adventure. The Musketeers decided to split up for the day, each of us wanting to do our own thing. Janis booked a fishing trip, Rach wanted a day to relax, and I, as always, had a thirst for adventure. So, I signed myself up for a mountain biking trek, as mentioned in the previous entry. Woke up early for the seventy billionth day in a row and met the guide, Dan, downstairs at nine. It ended up being just he and I for the day, and he drove the half hour to the mountain. I wasn't sure what to expect, but I had the misguided notion that because I had done quite a bit of cycling in the past year, I'd be quite good at mountain biking. Not so much, really. When it said mountain biking, it meant MOUNTAIN BIKING. No roads, pavement, any of that. I was doing my best to keep up with Dan on dirt paths where, if you veered off by a foot, you'd careen down the mountain. It also didn't help that they decided to swap the brakes on me. In all the riding I've ever done, the right brake has been for the back wheel, and the left controls the front. Not on this bike. As you may imagine, this resulted in me slamming on the right brake in an attempt to stop, and going head-first over the handlebars on more than one occasion. It was quite a workout, lots of ups and downs, riding through creeks, getting whacked by thorny bushes throughout the rainforest... but lots of fun as well. Dan was both informative and accommodating to my novice mountain bike skills. He also found it pretty funny that I kept falling off. Ah well. It was a 15 kilometer trek altogether, with a stop in the middle for a swim in the fresh water river. Unbelievably refreshing. We saw a snake, and came across what I would define as an Aussie bushman and his family. More like an Australian guy camping with his girlfriend and her son, but they were bush-enough for me. Hell, they were listening to "Waltzing Matilda."

I was exhausted, dirty, sweaty, and cut up after the mountain bike adventure... but also quite happy. It was another awesome experience I don't think I'd be able to repeat anywhere else. After Dan dropped me back off at Calypso, I took the opportunity to bask in the beautiful afternoon sun by the pool. Went for a bit of a swim, showered, and walked into town in an attempt to find Rachel and/or a bar where I could watch the Grand Final. I came across much of the latter, but not the former. After grabbing a sandwich at a little side shop, I ended up in P.J. O'Brien's (yes, I know, I always find my way to Irish pubs) to watch the second half of the footy. Geelong was already up by quite a bit. I befriended a trio of Irish boys, and for the next two hours, watched Geelong slaughter Port Adelaide over a bottle or two of Magners. It was fantastic. Port got annhiliated 163-44. It wasn't even close. Naturally, this put me in a good mood for the rest of the day. I mean, I'm from Philly... I don't know the meaning of the phrase "championship team."

After watching the celebration, I went for a walk about Cairns, popping in and out of markets and souvenir shops, picking a few things up for the loved ones at home. Watched the sun set, and walked the twelve blocks back to Calpyso with the sweet sounds of Frank and Dean to guide me. Summer nights always put me in the mood for crooners. Chatted with Rach, Janis and our new French roomate when I got back, then went upstairs and crashed relatively early. Woke up at 8:3o on Sunday and finished watching the episode of X-Files that I'd started the night before. Packed up my stuff (I magically fit everything I'd accumulated into my three bags... an impressive feat) and spent the rest of the morning by the pool, doing a bit of writing, a bit of lounging, and a bit of swimming. We bid adieu to beautiful north Queensland just before noon, heading to the airport. Two flights, a taxi, a train and ten hours later, we were back in Geelong. I've grown weary of long travel days like that... especially when it means leaving tropical weather for rainy, chilly Melbourne. But considering the past ten days' events, I don't really have much to complain about.

After arriving back in Geelong, I unpacked all of my things, did my laundry, got a shower, and called the family. Yeah, I slept well last night. Today has been devoted mostly to uploading pictures onto facebook, going to a rather depressing history class on mass murder and genocide, boxing, dining al fresco with Rach at caf, and the usual Monday night television greatness. Ahh, Californication... you are too good to me. For the thousandth time... David Duchovny, why won't you love me?

Other positive notables include the NL Championship of the Phils (ohh, do I miss those close-ups of Chase Utley. Ladies, you're with me on this one, I know it.), the season premier of House on Wednesday, and, for once, Best Buy's cooperation. Yup, because my iPod was nothing but dysfunctional, I'm getting a brand new one. And, even better, it's the new iPod touch! That'll be quite fun to play with, I think.

Ah, I suppose I should link you up to the semester trek pictures, too.

For Sydney shots, czeck this one out:
http://deakinedu.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2028600&l=e8539&id=17500696

Sydney Aquarium, Brisbane, and Cairns photos are here:
http://deakinedu.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2028638&l=fb564&id=17500696

And, the album you've all been waiting for... my Australia Zoo pictures:
http://deakinedu.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2028647&l=57eda&id=17500696

Any comments, questions, or general musings regarding my photographic documentations are greatly appreciated and encouraged. But for now, it's back to the real world for this kid. Which means a bit of reading, but more likely, some X-Files and bed. I'm beat. So until next time...

+K+