MadisonK Australia2011: Day Nine 6/16/11

Today was our last day in Australia. We went up a rainforest on a mountain in an old Western styled train. It was such a pleasant and bright day. When we got up to the top of the hill/mountain there was a tiny, little town that had lots of cute restaurants and cafes, places to shops, and a street market. I had probably the best sandwich and muffin ever! Then we went to a little hippie store withs lots of cute clothes. Then we went and looked around the market for a while and I ended up getting a ninja voodoo doll. Then we took a 20 minute tour through the rainforest and learned some history of the plants. Then we went to an Aboriginal show before learning how to throw boomerangs, spears, and watch two shows; one about the creation story, and one explaining and demonstrating the didgeridoo. When we got back to the hotel we were able to go out again for dinner and dessert, but came back early to get packing.

1) The Great Barrier Reef was absolutely beautiful. It was a really great and fun experience. I'd love to go back again!
2) Asians markets in Aussi ever crossed my mind, but after seeing the adorable influences, I fell in love. I love seeing where Australia received a lot of it's modern culture. And I love Asians in general.
3) I need to go back to Rangitoto College! I absolutely fell in love with the kids! I even cried when we left. I wanted to go back so badly.
4) Rotorua was my absolute favorite place ever! Even though it smelled like rotten eggs, it was so culturally inspiring and an overall fantastic place. It was so cute and uninhabited.
5) The Opera House was so cute as well as beautiful and showed me that there was something truly magical out there in the world. I would have loved to go see a show there,
6) Whaka was a beautiful little town. The way the Maori people live, their food, their culture, their music and dance, their family, their beliefs, their values were all inspiring. The trip to this tiny village just made me so happy.
7) The Rocks' market was so freaking cute! There were a lot of homemade things there which told us a little about the people, their art, style, and inspiration. I love the variety of shops there and the adorable things being sold.
8) Cairns was seriously one of my favorite places that we went. The city was so small and beautiful, and full of nice people. I felt like I belonged there.
9) Kuranda and the rainforest was very nice. It was so offbeat and out of the business of the rest of Australia. It was like it's own little world. I felt like the town itself preserved a lot of history and culture.
10) Sydney was a party city! It was fun and full of (night) life. I really did enjoy this city, and find it much more exciting and friendlier than Chicago.