This week was full of absolute legends and killer vibes. As I near the three month mark of being in Australia I of course had to do the most Australian thing I could think of. What was it you ask?? Well shredding some gnarly waves of course! In the middle of the week for one of my pals birthday we took the train down to Torquay, rented boards and spent the day surfing. The best part? I managed to get up for a half a millisecond!! It was a stellar day spent out on the water, taking in the sun with a group of friends I have become super close with. As for the weekend, I had two trips with REAL Adventures to look forward to. On Saturday we headed to Phillip Island, about a two hour drive from Melbourne. Three things you need to know about Phillip Island: 1. It's beautiful (insane coast lines and views in every direction) 2. They have a penguin parade (no there aren't floats but there are super cute penguins waddling across the sand) 3. The Hemsworth's grew up there (Chris where you at?!). The day was spent exploring beaches, boogie boarding down sand dunes and watching penguins waddle across the sand - heck ya! On Sunday with REAL we headed to Torquay. This time we got an actual surf lesson, so my skills improved immensely, meaning I got up on the board for a full millisecond this time! After we shredded the waves for a couple hours we headed to Bell's Beach, home of the Rip Curl Pro, so cool! The weekend trips with REAL are always an amazing way to see places around Melbourne and the local staff always makes it a hoot and a half. Thanks for another rad two trips REAL! Check out the pics to see how beautiful the beaches were this weekend (musings continued after):
Side blurb: This week I thought a lot about connections. Perhaps it's my interview brain as I look for an internship for next semester or just being around and meeting so many amazing people every week, but when asked about what I am passionate about, my first response is always people and connections. While I am super passionate about mountains, design, photography and all that good stuff; it's the people I share it with that truly make the experience. The laughs, stories, talks of far off places, the sharing of dreams and goals. Knowing what makes people tick and understanding where they come from and who they are, that is what fills my heart. Throughout this experience I have been able to make so many connections with people from all over the world and I catch myself feeling so incredibly happy and full of energy when I am around them. Just watching new people connect over a common love and seeing new friendships form is the coolest thing to watch. It's like seeing someones face when they see a beautiful landscape or a massive city for the first time. That sense of excitement and disbelief that something so cool and interesting could exist and that they are getting to experience it. That is what life is about, making connections, spreading good vibes, and finding those moments of disbelief. For me the excitement of new friendships and connections is the only cup of coffee I need.
2 surf trips, 357 wipe-outs, 20 swarming seagulls, 2 REAL Adventures, 1 gnarly sun burn, 10 penguins, 6 footie tosses, 5 pelicans, 1 sand dune, 2 jam sessions, 3 boardwalks, 7 beaches and 358 waves later, I am filled to the brim with salt water and happiness. I even have smile tan lines from this weekend because I smiled and laughed so much. So shout-out to new adventures that fill my soul with new places and people, I owe you the world and my new, super cool tan lines.
Cheers - keleniak
p.s. Before this experience I promised myself I would do one new/possibly scary thing a week: This week that was surfing in Australia. While the waves won that round - I bet you with a little practice and good vibes I'll be shreddin' in no time.