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1: Are We There Yet?
Excitement; shock; impatience; not to mention jet lag! Stepping out of Sydney Airport with my aunt, behind me and my mum and brother in my stride, I can recall was one of the most exasperating moments- a treasured memory. An exotic, indescribable scent; a few rows of Ute's (Utility Vehicles); general buzz of an airport- the magic 3 that I can vividly place.
After a much longed-for snooze and good old toast and jam, the awe of Australia began to take hold of me in my lethargic state. Of course all of this emotion was notched up to my maximum because there in front of me was my Aunt, Claire. I hadn't seen Claire for about 4 years- she is one of my idols; as well as my mum, Jo, who to be with me is immensely special. It seemed new, strange and just wonderful to be there; so much so that I kept looking out to the Australian horizon on top of my aunt's balcony to spot the blue mist of mountains again and again, barely contemplating the fact that I was in 'Aussieland'- the country where they actually eat kangaroo!
3a.m., and my mum, brother and I are up scavenging for food in the darkness of early Australian morning. 'Rustle, rustle,' goes the biscuit packet I had managed to find. On my way back to my 'bedroom' I, of course, had to just take a quick peek out of the balcony window to see the Aussie sunrise struggle to stir the Sheila's and snakes.
A picnic lunch including Tuck's, cheese to burst your eyeballs and general snacks (the kangaroo would have to wait a little longer) was an initial point in which to fuel us for the continuation of adventures ahead!
When my aunt described the adventures she had been on, the amazing times she'd had in countries including Australia, I thought to myself not only would I love to have some of the experiences she's had but also would it have been daunting for her, my auntie? But then, it probably was!

2: 'Woooowww', generally!
Being the typical tourists us Brits are, the Opera House, Botanical Gardens. And, of course, Bondi Beach, were all on our horizons. Staggering through the intense rays that the lack of ozone layer has allowed, we stared at the Opera House like it was snow in summer, or rather, winter in Australia. Reflected in shimmering Sydney Harbour waters was the great structure of it. Also, the bridge tapping on our shoulders contrasting with the rural forest filled with fruit bats o the left wing certainly took a moment or two to digest. Maybe it was me, dwelling in all experiences of Australia to present, but it seemed as if the locals (can you imagine being local to the Opera House and co.?!) fitted their background and were sunny, exciting and generally a nice bunch. Reaching back to the origin of Australia's people, we encountered a couple of Aborigine's with, wait for it' didgeridoos! Could you get any more Aussie?! I couldn't not be curious about them as I mentally meandered around their body art and mannerisms. Although fairly focused, they too seemed like 'nice guys', if you could class an Aborigine as 'nice'.
Experiencing some of the wildlife of the land was interesting; many of the birds and mammals I had never even heard of before I endeavoured on the journey: Parakeets, Lorikeets, Echidnas, and Possums etc. On those glorious mornings I would wake up to an entire colour spectrum peering in at me, a.k.a. a couple of Parakeets.
Visiting the zoo and aquarium, I had an arguably predictable yet unsuspected experience. I had this sudden forceful craving for crisps- really salty ones. I thought inwardly, 'Is this what it's like to have maternal cravings?!' It is vital that you top up your liquid and suntan lotion regularly. Preferably this is to be done rationally and not in the process of getting obsessively paranoid about it, like I was.
Hopping precariously on the roasting sand so as not to burn my feet, I looked out to the vast pool of glitter. My brother was buried alive under minute grains (courtesy of my aunt's brilliant boyfriend Chris); my mum and aunt absorbing the heart-warming sun; and I, watching gratefully and thanking someone, everyone, that I had been given this opportunity, and what an opportunity! On a few occasions, we all went and met some of my aunt's friends on the beach. She told me that when you live there, Bondi is great but will probably not turn out to be a favourite. Passing a surf shop, we turned the corner to lay eyes on a relatively remote beach, but what a beauty! This beach was in its own little part of the land- rocks protruding into the water, the squeak of sand predominantly in your ears. It was like the sky was proud of its child- this beach. It was on this beach that I learnt to surf. What brilliant fun! However, as my brother, Sam, and I were exiting the water, we heard of the presence of a shark by the rocks. Never was I so relieved to be out of there! I would recommend following the advice of any signs or lifeguard warnings to ensure maximum safety.
Talking of water sports, another new-found sort was kayaking. I will never forget that day. We set off relatively early to get to this wondrous lake and here we met my step- grandfather (!) Peter. For a start, I was nervous and I sensed that my mum and brother' feelings were mutual. But, as we set off, the nerves began to ease and the thrill and enjoyment really set in. It took roughly an hour or more to kayak to a remote beach for lunch. I knew my mum wasn't brilliantly compatible with the water and by that point a certain paleness had been painted across her face, poor Mum. Knowing my mum though, she would stick it out for the benefit of everyone around her. However, after passing houses lounging on surrounding rocks; as well as a masquerade of boisterous daring and the boys getting up on their kayaks (although I did try it), Mum just did not make it for more than 2 hours. 2 hours was an achievement as it was. Consequently she, somewhat ungracefully as you could imagine, vomited over the side of the kayak. I was not to know this until back in England. This was, on my mum's behalf as she was only trying not to worry us, as I did a lot about unimportant things before the Aussie adventures we shared.