From: Jesica Tomlinson

Good morning



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Jesica Tomlinson

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from: Jesica Tomlinson

Sup

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Jesica Tomlinson

Sent from my iPhone

from: Jesica Tomlinson

Hiya


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Jesica Tomlinson

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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

Final Days and Ending Thoughts- Jes

Tibetan Thanksgiving

When I got to China it was the real Thanksgiving. It was wonderful that I got to celebrate Thanksgiving twice. Steve and I went to Jenny's school and talked to her students about Thanksgiving. I got a chance to say goodbye to one of the sweet Chinese women who took us to the beach weeks earlier. After Jenny was off work, we went to have a Tibetan Thanksgiving Feast. Tibetan food was my new favorite food we had in China.

Jenny Teaching Her Students About Thanksgiving

It was really strange not being with Liz anymore. I felt like I was missing my second half as I spent my last two days walking around in China. We managed to get her stuff shipped home really cheap, so everything was coming together for her extended trip. 

Tibetan Show

My last night, Jenny and Steve through an Asian Games Ending Ceremonies party. It was great to meet some more of their friends. I attempted to make brushetta but it didn't turn out like I expected. The fireworks for the Asian games closing ceremony were amazing from Jenny and Steve's balcony, they really have an amazing view. The next day they took me into Hong Kong and to Llama Island where they lived when they first moved to China. It was an adorable little town, full of boutiques and a variety of people. There were a lot of British people living there, and Jenny mentioned that it would be a good place for a writer to go and think.

This morning I hopped on a bus to a plane to Chicago. Now I'm sitting her in the Chicago airport waiting for my connecting flight back to DC. Its a weird feeling. My mom asked me if it felt different to be back in the U.S. Its a weird feeling because I am happy to get my life started (with work and an apartment), but it seems like every time I come home from abroad, a little part of me stays there. It was an amazing trip, I experienced so much and I learned so much. It changed the way I look at the world, and I will always remember my experiences. I hope I'll be back, but until then the pictures, blog entries and post cards will have to remind me. 

Last Days in Australia

Tuesday morning I was a little sad as we packed up and left Phillip Island. We were leaving the little island AND it was my last full day in Australia. We cleaned up and headed out to make a lunch Polly was hosting at her house. The guest of honor was my uncle Lex's girlfriend, Selena, who had flown in just a few days earlier from South Carolina to visit. This was the first time most of us had met her, and we found her to be lovely. It was also a little weird hearing another American accent that didn't belong to Josh, Liz or me. Polly made my favorite for lunch, her famous tuna casserole. After we ate and had some dessert, we played outside in the gorgeous summer weather. Its so funny how entertaining kids are. Playing with my cousins kept us busy for hours.

When Lex and Selena left we got a text from Lex asking if anyone had noticed the ring on Selena's finger! We didn't even realize that they were engaged!!!! We were thrilled to hear about it. We all were super hyper (especially Shae!) and had a blast playing cards and hanging out for the rest of the day. It ended up being a pretty perfect last day in Australia.

Josh and I at the Airport

The next morning we got up early and Josh and Emily took us to the airport. It was sad saying goodbye to Polly, Jim and the little ones. I feel like they will be so much bigger next time I get to see them. Josh and Emily were dropping me off at the airport and then taking Liz into the city where she was meeting her friend, Will. It was so sad to say goodbye to everyone. I teared up a little bit as I saw my Liz and my brother and Emily drive away. It was technically the end of one of the most amazing trip. I was headed back to Hong Kong and China where I would pack up my stuff and fly out a few days later to go home, and Liz was headed to New Zealand and some more beautiful Australia beaches.

Phillp Island Day Two

The "Nobbies"

We got up the next day and after breakfast headed to a place on Phillip Island called "the nobbies." On a good day you can see seals sun bathing on the rocks on the nobbies. We didn't get to see any seals but there was plenty of wildlife to see. As we walked on the boardwalk down the hill there was a sign of warning about Copperhead snakes. It said to leave them alone if we saw them, and to be careful because there was no particular anti-venom. What is up with Australia and all the snakes?!? As we walked down the path we saw millions of seagulls (one attacked Liz!) and under the boardwalk there were tons of little penguins waiting for their families to come home with food. The view was almost as beautiful as the place we went to yesterday, but not quite. 

After the Nobbies we went into Cowes, the biggest town on Phillip Island. We made plans to meet Emily's grandparents for lunch. They were an adorable couple and we enjoyed hanging out with them for a couple hours. Emily's grandmother calls her "Ems" so for the rest of the day we kept referring to her as "Em's" in a Australian-British grandmother's accent. They were a lovely couple, though, and after lunch we went to look at some Opp Shops (second hand shops) and Liz went to the internet cafe. Liz had officially decided to stay in Australia for a couple extra weeks and although I was so sad to have to leave her, I was really excited about all the stuff she was going to see. She had to take care of some business at home so she could stay. After the Opp Shops we did some light souvenir shopping and then headed back to the house and then back to the beach. It was beach weather so Liz and I sunbathed while Josh and Emily played in the water. We grabbed some delicious pizza for dinner and at 7:30 Emily and Josh drove Liz and I to the Penguin Parade. I remember reading in a guidebook that the native Phillip Island people are the only Australians who HAVEN'T attended the islands Penguin Parade. Josh and Emily didn't go because they'd seen it a few times but Liz and I were thrilled as we watched the little penguins come from the ocean to their homes on the shore. As we walked out of the pavilion there were hundreds of little penguins within reach. The way they waddled was so adorable that I decided they were my second favorite animal (behind polar bears). When Josh and Emily came to pick us up a couple hours later they saw a little penguin scurrying around the parking lot. We were so bummed we couldn't capture their cuteness on camera (all photography and video is banned), but I know the image of the cute little penguins will stick in my head for long time.