Malaysia: An Excursion Through South East Asia

Kuala Lumpur, The first stop on our trip. We arrived on Thursday September 5th at around 4:30 KL time, and immediately began our hunt for accommodation. We went walked around the city stopping by five different hotels before we found one that met our liking and price range. John, Bango, and myself checked into Hotel Geo and promptly took our bags up to the room. Upon trying to unlock the door we quickly realized that the key card to our room didn't work so we sent Bango back down to reception to see what was up. As Bango was headed down stairs we were approached by an old Australian couple. They had noticed us struggling to get the door open and came over to see if they could help.We introduced ourselves and the Aussie couple began telling us about their travels and lending us some advice about navigating Vietnam(where we would be the next week). Shortly after, Bango returned with working key cards. We said our thank yous to the couple for the tips and then our goodbyes once we confirmed the keys were working. We got into the room and set our stuff down with a sigh of relief that we finally found a place. The room was a decent size with two twin sized beds, a television with cable, and a bathroom that gave us our first encounter with what I have come to commonly refer to as a 'booty hose'. Many toilets throughout southeast Asia are designed this way. Its a definitely different from the western idea of a toilet but it is arguably more sanitary. I think the jury is still out on that one.

Our room also had free wifi which as we would quickly discover is a scarce resource in the south east of Asia. After we put our bags down we freshened up and hit the streets. The sun had fallen by the time we got back down to the street and the streets were now flooded with food stalls serving everything from chicken satay to live frog.

The night market was also littered with booths selling knock off everything. Bags, clothes, watches, & jewelry. From the time the plane landed the weather had been extremely humid with rain showers on and off so we ducked into a restaurant to have some dinner and to cool off.

After dinner we walked around the market some more picking up little things here and there.We tried to see the Petronas towers that first night but we got lost in the market and just ran out of time. As we decided to try for the twin towers on Saturday we also agreed to call it a night.

Man preparing indian flat bread for roti cani

Day two turned out to be very eventful. We made our way to Genting Highlands(a resort in the Malaysian hills that were Johns old stomping grounds). Upon arriving at Genting we rode the cable cars up to the resort.

One at a time ladies ;)

In our car was an older guy around sixty who claimed to have a good knowledge of the resort. He asked us if we knew where we were staying at. He went on to tell us that he worked for one of the hotels and that he could get us a good deal on a room. The old man said that he'd show us the room and if we liked it he would give us a good price. As we followed the guy through the lobby and up the elevator we had a sneaking suspicion that the dude had ulterior motives. 

When we finally got up to the room and walked in the door, the room was filled with cigarette smoke and there were two other old sketchy guys sitting on the beds. They began to ask if we liked the room and tried stressing how good the view was. One of the guys rolled up a pant leg and pulled a business card out of his sock. The guys told us the room would cost us 180 Malaysian ringgit(the currency used throughout Malaysia) but we knew immediately that this was a scam. I excused myself quickly claiming I had to "go find an ATM" but instead rushed down to reception leaving John and Bango upstairs. In the back of my mind I was worried about the possibility that my friends might get robbed so I hurried. While I was down in the lobby I was approached two different times by the initial guy who kept pointing me in the direction of the ATM trying to persuade me to accept his deal. I told him I just had to ask a question about the hotel and soon found out the room prices were much cheaper so I quickly booked a room legitimately instead of paying a couple of dodgy Malaysian guys for a cigarette smoke filled room.

I rushed back upstairs to retrieve John & Bango and as I walked out of the lift, John was standing there exclaiming "We gotta get the hell out of here" suggesting the situation had only gotten weirder. We jogged down the hall and grabbed Bango who was now in the room alone with the three crooks. We stormed into the room grabbed Bango, our bags, and jetted out of there. The three guys kept asking what was wrong and if we wanted a better price as we were walking out. John, Bango, and myself quickly left that area and found the room we were assigned to. Once we were in our room we laughed about the close call, breathed sighs of relief, and got cleaned up to go out. Had the situation gone differently who knows what the outcome may have been. Luckily we learned our lesson very early into the trip: While traveling through another country don't take advice from strangers so easily. From then on out we had our guards up towards anyone trying to "help us out". 

The resort had a bunch of rides that were closed for servicing because it was the rainy season which sucked but we made the best of it. We went bowling, ate some native foods, and after dinner went looking for night life only to be turned away because John wasn't 21(the legal age). After searching around we finally found a spot to grab a drink and ended the night there.

  Day three we left Genting and headed south on a two hour bus ride to Melaka. Melaka is an internationally recognized & protected city south of KL. The bus on the way there was ridiculously full. People could barely fit in the doors then the driver allowed more people on! The driver also enjoyed a cigarette and a conversation with a passenger all while navigating the jam packed bus. 

In Melaka we got our hotel first thing then went out sight seeing. We saw all of the city's main attractions, almost got bitten by a stray dog, and once again hit the night market. Nothing too crazy happened in Melaka and the next day we were on the bus again headed back to KL. 

Back in Kuala Lumpur we ventured out to the world famous Petronas towers. The twin towers were offically the tallest buildings in the world from 1998-2004 but they do remain the tallest twin building.

That night while looking for a place to grab a drink we noticed a bar that seemed to be the hot spot. It wasn't until after we paid our cover fee and entered that we noticed all of the girls in the place were hookers. And not just most of the girls, I'm talking EVERY WOMAN in the bar was on duty. I'd never seen so many hookers in one place, it was crazy. What made it even more bizarre was that Malaysia is an Islamic country and throughout the day most of the women we saw wore burkas. Since we couldn't afford to take any women home that night and the beers we bought nearly drove us broke we painfully waited around until 2:30 am, went back to the hotel to grab our bags and caught a bus to the airport.

Honorable Mention: Malaysia

While leaving the Malaysian airport, as we passed through customs, the customs officer who checked my passport was playing candy crush!!

Although Malaysia was cool to visit, it was also strange and expensive. We looked forward to the next leg of our trip Cambodia...

Best Rock Climbing In Melbourne

As the popularity of rock climbing grows, so will the desire to know of the best places to climb. Since coming to Melbourne I've had the firsthand opportunity to explore, track down, and try out the finest rock climbing locations throughout the city. In doing so I've been inspired to share what I've learned about Melbourne's climbing scene. Therefore I have compiled a list of the best rock climbing spots in and around Melbourne along with some pros and cons of each place. Enjoy!

Top Roping:

HARDROCK- Centrally located in the CBD, Hardrock Climbing Gym is arguably the most popular climbing gym in Melbourne. Tall walls and routes that vary in degrees of difficulty make it a great location for beginners as well as experienced climbers. Safety is a crucial aspect of climbing but if you're an experienced climber you might notice that their belay setups are, as far as safety goes, slightly overkill. Being as popular as it is, this place tends to get busy fast so its a good idea to call ahead and find out their peak hours so you can avoid them.

Positives:

• In the heart of the city, Hardrock is the most easily accessible gym in Melbourne.
• Friendly, knowledgeable staff.
• Lead climbing accessible.
• Route difficulties range from novice-expert.
• Area of 4-5 auto belay rigs.
• Uses ATC belay devices.
• A pair of fun/challenging crack climbs.
• Reasonable pricing.
• Good view of the city from inside the gym.
• Air conditioned during summer(sometimes).

Negatives:

• No bouldering section.
• Complicated belay procedure.
• Routes are not very technical.
• No water fountain.

CLIFFHANGER- Located just outside of the city in Altona North, CliffHanger is built onto the West-Side Indoor Sports Complex. This gym offers nearly 70' tall walls making it the tallest indoor climbing gym in the southern hemisphere. The top roping section has a wide variety of routes and features and is accompanied by a well lit bouldering cave. This gym isn't the easiest place to get to but its worth the extra navigation.

Positives:

• Wide variety of climbs.
• Lead climbing accessible.
• Uses GriGri self locking belay devices.
• Tallest indoor climbing walls in the southern hemisphere.
• Additional bouldering cave.
• Routes graded on the V rating system.
• Cool stalactite features.
• Kids section.
• Small outdoor climbing wall.

Negatives:

• Advanced bookings required.
• A fair drive outside of the city.
• Not many instructors on hand at one time.

VIRGIN ACTIVE- Also located in the CBD, Virgin Active is apart of the Virgin health club. This is the same Virgin owned by Sir Richard Branson. Clean facilities and helpful staff make this gym what it is. The climbing area is not huge but its a nice feature to be able to climb and then swim a few laps to cool off.

Credit

Positives:

• Inside of a health club.
• Simple set-up.
• Good service from instructors.
• Good atmosphere.

Negatives:

• Lockers are small.
• The gym is membership based. 

Bouldering:

LACTIC FACTORY- A short walk from the train line, the Lactic Factory offers some great bouldering. This is the first 'bouldering only' gym I've been to and after going I can safely say, I wish there were more like it. A good range of difficulties in routes makes this gym ideal for boulder climbers with varying skill levels. The upstairs climbing area offers inverted routes and the downstairs contains a library of climbing literature. If you get the chance, check out this gym. You'll be glad you did.

Positives:

• A 'bouldering only' gym.
• Good range of route difficulty.
• Good atmosphere.
• Dual levels(upstairs and downstairs climbing areas).
• Lots of climbing books(topics range from locations to techniques).
• Bike racks.
• Chalk bags available for rental.
• Reasonable pricing.

Negatives:

• A fair walk from the train line
• A 'bouldering only' gym
• Gym doesn't open until 4 pm.

BURNLEY BOULDERING WALLS- The location of these bouldering walls are not widely known. Tucked away behind a construction site, under a bridge, beside a river, these walls offer a break from traditional bouldering areas. Since this site is not exactly easy to find, once you DO find it, the experience becomes that much more enjoyable. The best part about this area is that its outdoors but its undercover making rain a non issue. These walls are also lit so climbing at night is an option. As with most climbing areas in Melbourne, during peak hours cues build up quick so keep that in mind if you venture out to this site.

Positives:

• Outdoors.
• Nice scenery.
• Open layout.
• Cool/Inconspicuous location.
• No bookings required.
• Lighting under the bridge makes night climbing an option.
• FREE!

Negatives:

• Not easy to find.
• Cues build up fast.
• High traffic at peak hours.
• No water fountain.

FLEMIMNGTON FLATS PARK- Nothing fancy or complex about this spot. Simplistic bouldering makes this a great spot for a lunch break bouldering session. This park is designed primarily for kids but has a great layout. Overall one of the coolest parks I've ever been too.

Positives:

• Outdoors.
• Simple design.
• Short walk from train station.
• FREE!

Negatives:

• No water fountain.
• No lighting for night climbing.

So there you have it. All of the info you need on the best rock climbing Melbourne has to offer--here in one place. No matter what style of climbing you're looking for, you are sure to find it amongst these locations. Whether you are looking for some new climbing spots, something to do on your day off, or even a date idea, check out some of these spots and let us know what you think. Have fun and happy climbing!

*For more info on each location, click the location name for links to respective available websites.

55 Ways To Instantly Boost Your Mood

An incredibly important life lesson to learn is that all people operate from two motivations:

To fulfill their desires and to escape their suffering.

No matter what kind of behavior other people exhibit, they are acting in the most effective way that they are capable of, to feel pleasure and relieve pain. Of course no one wants to suffer but in life it is bound to happen once in a while. The question then becomes:

How can you experience pleasure regardless of time or place?

Here is a list of 55 ways to instantly boost your mood regardless of whats going on around you:

1. Do something bold ~ Don't hesitate! Do that thing you've been putting off for way to long. Its time to wake up people. No more sleepwalking through this life.
2. Go some place new ~ Go to that new restaurant you've been hearing about for weeks. Even take a new route to work or to the grocery store. Mix it up!
3. Ride a bike for fun ~ When was the last time you went out and rode a bike for fun? Don't even plot a course. Just pull the bike out of the garage, dust off the seat, and cruise.
4. Make a new friend ~ Go introduce yourself to the new neighbors or that cute girl you always see on the city bus. I like to say "every stranger is just a friend I haven't met yet".
5. Hold your pee as long as possible then go - Ahhhh ~ There aren't many better feelings in this world then the sweet relief of emptying your bladder after a long meeting or car ride. This one wont boost your mood at first but we'll just call it delayed satisfaction.
6. See a baby laugh ~ I lived with my sister's family including my new baby niece for over a year. Seeing that little girl laugh would brighten my day every time. If you don't have a new baby at your disposal go to any supermarket on the planet. New moms usually want to show off their new babies as much as possible so you should have no problem with this one.
7. Learn a new skill ~ Pick up that guitar you still have yet to learn to play. Learn a new language.Take an art class at the local community college. Never ever stop learning.
8. Call into work-do something fun instead ~ If you do this one in moderation you shouldn't have a problem, unless of course you love your job. The way the economy is right now don't get yourself fired, but if you haven't missed a day in a year or two take a day off and hit the water park.
9. Hit the water park ~ This one will be way more gratifying if you've called into work to hit those speed slides.
10. Eat some candy ~ May I suggest some chocolate? Chocolate in moderation has been scientifically linked to good health and boosted moods. Grab me a Snickers while your at it?
11. Meditate ~ You can even do it sitting up in your chair. Meditation is profoundly beneficial when it comes to mental health and peace of mind. Take 20 minutes out of your day, quiet your mind, and meditate. Repeat after me "Ohmmmm".
12. Rise early ~ Watch the sunrise and enjoy your morning cup of java. Give yourself time to wake up, you'll be more productive this way. If you go to sleep earlier it will be easier to make this a habit. Also put your alarm clock on the other side of your room it because once you get up to turn it off, you're up. Additionally this will reduce that urge to smash the clock against the wall. 
13. Go bowling ~ Use your senses to take it all in. Notice the crowd noise mixed with cheers and disappointed sighs. The rumbling of the bowling ball as it glides down the lane. The crash of the pins as the ball knocks them over and the gears rattling as each frame is reset...Its a beautiful sport really. Grab some friends and grab some shoes. You never know, you might even run into Él Duderino
14. Start an inside joke ~ Start a joke that only you and someone else understand. It is a great feeling to be in on the joke nobody else gets.
15. Hug/kiss someone ~ "A hug is like a handshake from the heart"...okay its kind of corny but its true! Hugs and kisses cause an instant endorphin boost. Both are relaxing and cause floods of positive emotions. You look like you could use a hug right now.
16. Ride go-karts~Nothing gets the adrenaline and endorphines going like a few laps around the track. Grab a friend and go find a local course.
17. Climb a tree~Ask yourself honestly, when was the last time you climbed a tree? I can tell you already, the answer is 'its been to long'. Go to a park and find a big branchy sucker and re-live your childhood.
18. Go rock climbing~ Currently one of my personal favorite recreational activities. Not only is rock climbing a lot of fun, its also good exercise and you feel like a bad-ass every single time you make it to the top of the wall! Do you know rock climbing will soon be an official Olympic sport?
19. Play with a dog~ Whats not to like about a creature that shares its unconditional love with no questions asked? Fetch or tug-of-war ought to do the trick.
20. Be the host of an event~ Throw a party! When you host an event, you get to call the shots which makes you feel like a boss. Make it so enjoyable that people will be talking about it for years!
21. Go for a run~ Running not only makes you feel good physically but after a good run your mind will be very clear and you'll be able to solve problems you've been struggling with. No excuses if its raining either, we all know of a nearby gym or a friend with a treadmill that sits in the corner gathering dust.
22. Volunteer~ Volunteering your time is one of the most valuable things you can do. When you help someone in need it makes them feel better, it makes you feel better about your situation, and you'll feel amazing that you contributed to the world.
23. Go swimming~ Just a few laps, or a few jumps of the diving board, or throwing a few people into the pool is enough to make you grin from ear to ear.
24. Give something away~ If you have something sitting around the house that you don't use anymore, instead of posting it on eBay and making a couple lousy dollars, donate it to someone in need and your gratification will double.
25. Call your mom/dad~ When is the last time you rang your folks? You know, those two goofy people that brought you into the world? It only takes a few minutes to catch up and you'll feel better once you do.
26. Teach something~ You probably know about a certain something better than anyone else in your circle of friends. Teach something and be rewarded.
27. Listen to some new music~ Finding new music is like unwrapping a gift. Music can take you to instant euphoria.
28. Jump on a giant trampoline~ Probably one of the funnest things to do in the WORLD. Grab a friend and see how high you can double bounce each other!
29. Scream~You probably have some stress you've been holding in for a while. Go outside and do a few war cry's. Or grab a pillow and muffle your screams of bloody murder.
30. Count your blessings~Do this first thing in the morning and it'll make your entire day look much brighter. Then do it again before you go to sleep and you'll feel really good about how your day went.
31. Take a walk~Turn off the tv, lace up the sneakers, and take a stroll.
32. Take a nap~When all else fails...take a nap.
33. Treat-yo-self~ Go to the store and treat yourself to some ice cream or that new t-shirt you've had your eye on. Go ahead and treat-yo-self, you deserve it.
34. Read~Sometimes we'll could all use a little escape. If you cant afford that vacation to Tahiti just yet, grab a book and try to figure out who killed the waiter at your hotel before the last pages.
35. Dance~You can do the dougie, the robot, the cabbage patch, the worm, pop lock and drop it, just shake anyway you know how.
36. Sing~ Crank up that new song in the car and sing like you're trying to make it on The Voice.
37. Watch stand up comedy~This is always my favorite go-to solution to bring me out of a funk. There's is no way you can watch to much stand up comedy. Go laugh your ass off.
38. Go to a concert~Go see your favorite band perform live. There is nothing like it.
39. Make love~Knockin' the boots is a sure fire way to feel better. Grab your partner, pour up some wine, turn up the Marvin Gaye and just get it on.
40. Create a new idea or concept~Stirring the creative juices will most definitely make you feel good. Let the brainstorming begin!
41. Tell a joke~ This one always gets laughs [A woman gets on a bus with her baby. The bus driver says: "That's the ugliest baby that I've ever seen. Ugh!" The woman goes to the rear of the bus and sits down, fuming. She says to a man next to her: "The driver just insulted me!" The man says: "You go right up there and tell him off – go ahead, I'll hold your monkey for you."]
42. Change body movements~ Do you know that simply changing your body movements will boost your mood? Swing your arms around slowly side to side, then quickly clap your hands together and shout BOOM! Feel better now don't you?
43. Listen to informational audio books~ Grab Dale Carnegie's How To Win Friends And Influence People and listen to it during your commute to work.
44. Watch inspirational videos on YouTube~ Like this one
45. Take a warm bath~After a long day sometimes the trick is to just run a bath and soak in it. Tell your friends and family your going to take some time for yourself and just relax.
46. Dress up and go out~ Its a widely regarded fact that when you look good, you feel good. Get a hair cut and throw on that new outfit. The world is yours!
47. Polish up your memories~Think of your favorite memories. Now emphasize the best parts and make them as vivid as possible.
48. Smile~Science has proven that smiling even when you feel down will instantly trick your mind into thinking its happy.
49. Go outside~Go reconnect with nature. With all of the technological distractions around us, sometimes a stroll through the woods is exactly what we need.
50. Give a gift~ The secret to living is GIVING. Give an unexpected gift to someone and watch their happiness become your happiness.
51. Let something slide~ We've all been in a situation where someone around us does something foolish to us or around us. If you find yourself in a situation like that, make the conscious decision to let it slide. Use that energy in more productive ways.
52. Go to the beach~ Toes in the water, ass in the sand will cheer you up every time.
53. Watch the sunrise~ Rising early is an awesome way to feel good but the added bonus of watching the sun rise will amplify the quality of the day ahead of you.
54. Watch the sunset~ Watching the sun set is a great opportunity to reflect on the day gone by and to count your blessings.
55. Choose to be happy~ By far the most important way to boost your mood and feel happy. The secret is to CHOOSE joy. CHOOSE happiness. Every time negative thoughts and feelings arise. Even this instant. Choose to be happy and spread that joy to others.

What mood boosters do you use?

Melbourne vs. Sydney: The Rivalry Continues

Melbourne and Sydney have between them what closely resembles a sibling rivalry. Both 'children' of the amazing country of Australia, this rivalry has been going on since what might as well be forever. So which is city is better, Sydney or Melbourne? The debate lives on. Ask Melburnians and you'll hear the resounding answer-Melbourne. Ask residents of Sydney and you will hear the obviously converse answer-Sydney. After spending time in each city, it's safe to say that each city maintains their own factors of favor-ability.

I met a girl who explained it to me like this:

If Sydney and Melbourne were two women in a bar, Sydney would be the gorgeous blonde with a breath taking figure that would put Marilyn Monroe to shame. Her external beauty allows her to soak up much of the spot light, but she lacks substance.


On the other side of the room is Mel' who would be more closely associated with the quiet brunette. More like an Audrey Hepburn, she is stunning in her own unique way. Melbourne is more likely to hold deep intimate conversations that continue late into the night.


In reality there are so many factors to consider when comparing the two its no wonder the debate has lasted as long as it has...

-The People     -Lifestyle Pace     -The Cafes  -Public Transport
-The Culture     -The Scenery      -The Pubs    -AFL vs NRL

...the list goes on.

What it seems to come down to is: What type of atmosphere are you looking for?

Melbourne definitely has a more laid back feel to it and the arts/entertainment culture sets it apart from most other cities in the world. The public transportation set up makes it extremely easy to navigate from one side of the city to the other. The cost of living is slightly cheaper than Sydney(both cities are terribly expensive), and overall Melbourne is an extremely livable city.

Sydney's lifestyle is noticeably more fast-paced and heavily business oriented. The views from the Harbour Bridge and of the Opera House are awe-inspiring. Sydney is also home to Bondi beach which ranks among the worlds best, and the botanical gardens within the city create a heaven amongst the high-rises.


After spending time exploring each cities gorgeous landmarks and surprise-filled lane ways, I can see why the rivalry continues. What I will say definitively is that their similarities far outweigh their differences and deciding which city is better seems to be largely subjective. If you've never been and you find yourself in the southern hemisphere, do yourself a favor and take a holiday then leave us a comment and tell us what you think!
For those of you out there who have experienced the rivalry first hand, What's your opinion?

Surfari Weekend

It's THURSDAY afternoon. I'm walking towards the 'Outdoor' section of Big W looking for a new tent and sleeping bag. A few guys from work and myself organized a fishing trip in Torquay for Friday. Torquay is a township in Victoria Australia which is home to world famous Bells beach and birthplace of RipCurl and Quicksilver. I had heard about a RipCurl surfing competition in Bells beach from a girl I met on the train a couple days earlier so knowing I had the weekend off from work I'd have a golden opportunity to check it out. I packed up the new tent and sleeping bag along with a weekends worth of clothes and was set to go.

FRIDAY
The guys and I spend all day Friday fishing and only net a pair of fish. It is far from the greatest day of fishing but on the bright side, two fish are better than none. When the guys finally decide to call it a day I have them drop me off at the nearest camp ground. As the sun sets we say our goodbyes. Backpack on,  I march over to the camp ground office to a big sign taped to the window. In bold letters the sign reads 'ALL BOOKED OUT. NO VACANCY'. This is not what I want to see but I'm already here and with my only other ride long gone I come up with a plan B

In a frugal effort to spend as little money as possible this weekend a hotel stay is out of the question. My only other option is to wait until the sun goes down and set up the tent in a shadowed corner of the beach. As the sun gets lower in the sky I make my way to the beach. I crouch behind a hedge as a security patrol car creeps through the park looking for offenders. When the coast is clear, I dart across the parking lot. Right past a giant sign with bright red letters saying NO sleeping, NO camping, NO tents. The sign also goes on to say that perpetrators face prosecution. I disregard the warning and take a narrow wooden staircase down to where the sand and water meet.

 There is a patch of grass at the bottom of the stairs and some bushy trees in the background. I sit down at a near by picnic table where I pull out a book from my backpack. Hoping that I might go unnoticed should the patrol car make another pass. After 45 minutes the sun is down completely and the moon is quickly on the rise. Before long I decide its dark enough to set up camp. As I lay out the tent, I notice some people a few hundred feet away who apparently have the same idea. I assemble the tent and slide it under the cover of one of the aforementioned bushy trees and square my things away. With flashlight in hand I stroll over to my new neighbors hoping to keep things friendly and maybe gather some info. As I walk up I can see they are just setting up camp.

"Do you guys know what the penalty is for getting caught sleeping down here?" (I probably should have came up with a better introduction as I can see the spooked look on the groups faces.)

"No we don't." they reply.

"Okay, well my name is Jordan and I'll be over here if you guys need anything." I say before turning around and returning to the shadows. Fifteen minutes later there is a rapping on my tent.

"Hey we're going to be playing drinking games over here if you want to come play." a voice says.

"Yeah? Cool thanks for the invite." I mutter.

Figuring I have nothing else to lose, I grab the couple of beers the fishing crew left me and a flashlight and climb out of the tent.

I sit down at the picnic table and everyone introduces them selves. Three guys in their early 20's. Two from England and one from Holland  They explain the rules of the games they're playing and share with me some beers from a case they had brought. Its not long before the table starts to resemble a beer bottle graveyard. With a solid buzz going we collectively decide to take a walk up to the local pub. It's a short 10 minute walk. We get there with enough time to each order a drink before we are promptly told the bar is closing. We finish our drinks and make our way to our respective corner of the beach. I thank them for the beers and I stumble into my tent. I'm into my sleeping bag in no time at all and quickly fall asleep.



SATURDAY
I am awake before the sun rises. I'm paranoid of copping a potential fine and the risk of getting busted increases with every hour. I daze in and out of consciousness until about 8:30 when I decide to pack up and get moving. As I roll up my sleeping bag and stuff it in it's nylon sack there is a rapping at my tent.

"Hello?" a voice says.

I unzip the tent and pull back the flap. A bald, stocky, park patrolman is standing over my tent.

"How many people ya got in there?" he asks as he leans over to try to get a look inside.

"Just me." I reply.

"Okay, you are not allowed to have a tent set up down here." He says sternly. "Its a $185 fine to camp down here so I'll give you five minutes to break down your tent. You can stay down here for as long as you want just no tent."

"Say no more" I respond. "Thanks for the heads up." Fully appreciating his mercy.

I quickly break down the tent and finish packing up. I make two peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for breakfast and head back to the official camp ground. My plan is to wait around until the office opens at 9 o'clock and hope that a camp site has come available. I grab a coffee and sit on a bench near the office awaiting the first staff members to open the doors. 9 am rolls around and a staff member appears from around the corner. 'Please let there be an open spot' I think to myself as he approaches the door. I wait a few more minutes for the guy to set up before I head in and start asking questions.

"Good morning!" I exclaim.

"G'day mate, what can I do for you?" he asks.

"I was hoping you would tell me there's and open lot available." I say.

"Let's see if we have anything available." He replies as he searches through the computer system. After a few minutes of searching his voice comes from behind the counter. "Looks like we have a single lot open"

"I'll take it." I blurt out without a second thought. He hands me a map with the open lot highlighted and explains directions to get there."That'll be $32 please."

So excited there is an open spot I practically throw the money at him. As he hands me my change I thumb through the bills to notice he has only charged me half price. He smiles and tells me to "Have a good weekend." On my way out I drop a couple of dollars in a donation jar on the counter as a kind of thanks to the universe.'This is working out perfectly' I think to myself.

When I arrive, I find my lot with more than enough room for the small two person tent and start setting up. By the time the tent is assembled the sun is high in the air and the temperature is rising fast. I change into swim trunks, grab a towel, and make my way down to the surf shop down the road. As I walk through the open doors there is a blonde women in her late 20's behind the counter.

"Good morning" I say to her. "I'd like to hire a surfboard."

"No problem. It's $20 for 2 hours, $30 for 4 hours, $45 for all day." she explains.

"All day please." I say.

I can't believe I am about to spend all day surfing some of the best waves on some of the nicest beaches in the world. I can't be awake, this must be a dream. She hands me a wet suit after sizing me up and sends me to the back to change. I step into the wet suit and pull the zipper up my chest to my throat. I strut confidently out of the changing room to the front of the shop. One look, and the lady shakes her head a begins to laugh. I know her words before she even says them. "Your suit's on backwards. Zipper goes in the back." She chuckles. I smack my forehead, laugh it off, and head back to the changing room.

Wet suit corrected I walk back out shamelessly. "You're not the first person to do that" she says, in a clear attempt to lessen any embarrassment.  "Go ahead and grab that yellow board" she says pointing to a rack of boards at the door. Money paid and release form signed I grab the board and head back to the beach. The sun is shinning and the waves coming in sweet swells as I walk down another wooden stairway to the water, board in hand. I lay out my towel and kick off my flip flops when I find a spot on the beach that looks good. Taking a minute to give thanks for every chain of events I've been apart of that has brought me here. I savor this moment.

A couple minutes go by then I grab the board and charge the water. Having never surfed before I get some tips by studying other near by surfers. I wait for a wave and am immediately swallowed up by it. I try and fall several times trying to find the right balance.I don't get discouraged though knowing that I'm getting better with every attempt. A good for 45 minutes go by of paddling to the break and wiping out before I catch my first wave.

I paddle out once more and wait for my wave. I psych myself up with some encouraging words. "You've got this. Nothin to it but to do it" I say aloud. A solid wave forms. this is it, I can feel it. I turn myself around and paddle like a maniac as the wave rises taking me with it. I jump up onto my feet and ride my first wave all the way into shore. Its an indescribable feeling. I suddenly understand how people give up lively hoods in search of primo waves. There is something soulful about moving with the ocean so smoothly. Swarmed with a new feeling of enlightenment and surrounded by good waves I surf on. 3 hours go buy and my appetite is growing fast so I decide to take a break and grab some lunch.

I ride in one last wave and head back to the shops where I stop in a the local fish and chippery. A flake and order of chips later I'm stuffed. I rest for a half hour to digest before I head back to the beach. I surf for another hour and a half before the weather starts to turn. The waves are getting pretty choppy with the changing of the tide plus I only have the board hired for another hour anyways so I decide to call it a day. I pack up and head back to the surf shop to return the gear. Thoroughly exhausted I peel off the suit and rinse off. I return the board, extend my thanks and walk back to camp. I lay low the rest of the night in anticipation for tomorrows surf competition.

SUNDAY
The next morning I'm up early again. I want to get to Bells beach before the crowd and still haven't figured out yet how I'll get there. I consider my options as I grab a coffee and a bite to eat. I could walk(its not too far maybe 5km) but then I also have to carry my backpack. I could hitch hike, surely there would be tons of people headed that direction. Before I make an official decision I ask around. Apparently there is a free shuttle running back and forth all day. Yes! another awesome turn of events. Its only 10 minutes before a bus rolls up. The driver opens the door and looks my way "You headed to Bells?" he shouts. "Hell yeah!" I yell back as I run over to the bus I climb aboard.

It's a short 15 minute drive along a road with some steep hills but I realize trying to walk here would have been a bad choice. We arrive, I grab my backpack and jump off the bus. Hiking over to the ticket booth I notice a bright red sign that reads 'TICKETS: Children $5, Adult $8. CASH ONLY'. I dig in my pockets and pull out the last of my cash. $7 dollars is all have left after breakfast and dropping a couple bucks in the children's hospital donation jar back at the camp site office. As I walk up to the ticket booth I explain my situation. I don't know if the girl behind the counter believed me or just wanted to keep the line moving but either way she took my $7. She handed me a wristband, smiled and pointed me to the beach.

I made it! I work my balance with my backpack as walk down another set of wooden stairs much steeper this time. Thinking the entire way down how much it would suck if I missed a step and tumbled down the next 200 stairs. Escaping a fall I step off the last stairs onto the beach where a crowd is beginning to form. I find a prime spot to sit. It's near some pro photographers with their massive high resolution cameras so I know I can snap a few good shots myself. Camera out, I kick back and enjoy the show.


The best surfers on the planet together in one place, surfing some of the best waves that world famous Bells beach has to offer. 'I could die happy right now' I think to myself jokingly. The competition goes on for a few hours as the shoreline filled with spectators is gradually eaten away by the approaching current. This slowly forces the crowd to retreat back up to the bluffs.

It's getting later in the day and I'm scheduled to work first thing Monday morning so to I decide to start making my way back to Melbourne. The trip home is a breeze. The free shuttle returns and I climb aboard reflecting on the surreal weekend. The shuttle arrives at Geelong(the next town over from Torquay) where I take another bus to the train station. 20 minutes later I'm sitting on thee high speed V-line train cruising back to Melbourne flipping through photos reliving the trip. The adventure of a life time....can't wait for the next one!