Last words from Liz :)

Things I've learned from our journeys, in no particular order:

Lonely Planet is awesome! I will never travel anywhere without buying their guidebook first!

If I ever want to feel like a celebrity, just go to China. I can have paparazzi follow me and be in millions of pictures a day (with Chinese people of course).

Don't blow up your hair dryer the first day of your trip in Hong Kong! Not sure what I did and how to avoid it, but I'll have to keep my fingers crossed next trip!

Take anxiety meds to China. The amount of people in the metro at any given time is overwhelming and unbelievable haha.

Don't try to learn Chinese before your trip, you will fail. Just stay with Jenny and Steve, who are amazing at mandarin!

Bargaining in Australia won't work, however in China, don't pay anymore than 40 Yuan (approx. 6 US dollars) for anything! It probably is only worth 10 Yuan to start with.

Don't go to the toilet without tissues and expect a hole in the ground. Throw away ALL shoes worn in China as you depart the country. You will understand why if you ever go there!

Don't eat dog or bamboo rat in China... Yes, you will see them on the menu so please don't eat them.

Don't travel with headbands. I managed to break about one a week. They look good but don't travel well!

Don't travel with 100 lbs of luggage. It just doesn't work no matter how many bags you fit it into. Also, shipping 50 lbs of that home will cost you a pretty penny. I found out the hard way!

I didn't realize how much I loved cinnamon toast until I didn't have it anymore. Thanks Jenny and Steve for such a delicious breakfast every morning!

Don't starve yourself in China and then go to Australia and eat EVERYTHING and lay on the beach all day. You will gain 10 pounds ahhh.

Australians really do drink tea like it's their job! We were drinking about 8 cups a day.

Don't buy 4 hot water bottles in Australia and mail them home. My mom said my grandma probably still has theirs from before they had electricity! So apparently I won't be bringing a new trend to America haha whoops. I still think they are great and use one every night!

Don't go on a 3 day/ 3 night sailing trip around the Whitsunday Islands during the wet season. There is a reason it is called the "wet" season. You will make friends with the bartender very quickly.

Don't walk into a store in America looking for flip flops and ask, where the thongs are... However, in Australia the best way to find the flip-flops is to ask for thongs. It just did not sound right no matter how many times we said it.

Koalas are fussy!

Ice cream cones are seriously addictive, especially from McDonalds, Hungry Jack, and KFC. They are also budget friendly at 25 cents in China and 50 cents in Australia.

Don't go to China without climbing the Great Wall and don't go to Australia without snorkeling or scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef. These are two MUST see/ do things and places, and by far the most amazing things we did in China and Australia in my opinion!

I could probably write reviews for Airlines since I have taken 16 flights in the past 3 months.

Don't fly into the Chicago airport in the middle of winter with snow on the ground, inappropriately dressed. I was wearing flip-flops, a tank top, and a great tan! I only had clothes for summer weather since I was coming from Australia... Not smart!

Everyone is so kind, friendly, and willing to go out of their way to help in China and Australia. It's so nice to see and be a part of. Makes you realize how bad people are in America, when you fly into the Chicago airport from Hong Kong and spend an hour in the security line. Americans really show their true colors then, and all I could think about is how to get away from them and back to being surrounded by polite, nice Aussies with their "no worries" attitude.

Traveling is like an itch you need to scratch. All I can think about is where I want to go next or go back to!

I learned how much I missed living with Jes. She was the greatest friend ever to travel around with for 2 months and I CANNOT thank her enough for letting me come on this trip with her. Also, a huge thanks to all of Jes' family for everything from accommodations, transportation, entertainment, lovely conversations, tours, meals, and so much more! Without you guys, this trip would not have been possible so thanks again, I really appreciate your generosity! It has truly been the best thing I have ever done and a life-changing trip!

In closing, I wanted to share a little "Aussie slang" list I have put together throughout our time in Oz. It has been reviewed and approved by many Aussies and a few Kiwis (some NZ slang included). Hope you enjoy, and thanks for reading and following us as we travelled around the world. We had a great time keeping this blog. Cheers!

Next destination: TBD :)



Aussie Slang!

G’Day
How you going?
Whippersnipper= weed whacker
No worries
Hot water bottle
Kiwi= New Zealander
Rubbish bin= trash can
Jumper= sweater
Weetbix
Oz= Australia
Proper
Thongs= flip-flops
Maccas= McDonalds
Prawns= shrimp
Sunnies
Bloody oath= bloody hell
Fussy koalas
Fiddly
Car bonnet and boot= hood and trunk
Chillie bin and esky= cooler
Chesty or singlet= wife beater or tank top
Best mate
Hungry jacks= burger king
Nappie= diaper
Petrol= gas
Lollies= candy
Dodgy= sketchy
Dearo= dirty, rubbishy
Cool as, sweet as etc.
Good as
Pushbike vs motorbike
Melways/sydways/brisways= road map of that city
Bogan= red neck
Toilet vs bathroom
Doona= comforter
Carced it= died/dead
Cotton bud= qtip
Pram= luxury stroller
Biscuits= cookies
Mum
Cuppa= cup of tea
Chuck a sicky= call in sick
Heaps= tons or a lot
Gyro, kebob= kebabs
Torch= flashlight
Note= bill/money
Good on you= good job, good for you
What do ya reckon?
Dosh= money
Hanging around like a bad smell
Cheers
Diber-dobber= tattle-tale
Car park= parking lot
Car port= garage
Lane way= alley way
On special= on sale
Tea= dinner
Boxing day= day after Christmas
Cheeky monkey
Ute= utility vehicle/ pick up truck
Duva= thingamajig
Bathers or togs= bathing suit
CBF= can't be bothered
Nar= no
Ta= thank you
Stack= fall off, crash
Sheila= girl
Bloke= guy
Pokies= slot machines with push button
Brekky= breakfast
Barbie= BBQ
Eh= don’t you agree?
Jandals= flip-flops
Uni= university/college
Chuck a U-ey= make a U-turn
Icy pole= popsicle
Schoolies= high school kids
Mozzies= mosquitoes