Rejeanne's Blog

Touching Base

2008-06-05T00:31:00.000-07:00

Hi all, it's been a while since I've been on the blog. I've taken a few days off. I am currently up in Cairns. Last blog was the middle of Australia. I have since been to the top, then flew to the West coast, went all the way up it and back down and now am on the top of the East coast and working my way down to my journey home. I am excited. Can you believe it. I am excited to go home. The trip has been fabulous. I have gotten many insights and have loads of pictures to still upload to my blog. That will happen after I get home I'm sure, as I will have few days to hang out in Internet shops left. Tomorrow I leave on a bus and am going to go sailing on the Whitsunday Islands. It's a 3 day tour. I really wanted to experience sailing and this is going to be it. I get pretty wobbly when I'm on the water so hopefully I will be ok for 3 days. Sail boats are pretty small. And then I am getting on another bus and then doing a 3 days tour of Fraiser Island. Basically it is 4x4ing around the island and exploring. Then a bus to Brisbane, a plane to Sydney for one nights sleep and then the 27.5 hours of flight home, not to mention stop time. Whoo hoo. I should be well nackerd by the time I get there. Who's throwing the party?!!!

I think what I got most out of my trip is I already love my life. Although this is definitely part of it, I love what I have created at home, and I am ready to create more of what I love. Travelling I will continue to do over my lifetime because it is a lot of fun. I love the adventures and doing new things. I love seeing the diversity in people and discovering more about this fascinating species. And I love discovering about myself and what makes me happy. I know that a relationship is where I want to focus next, and finally in my life I will make time for that. All my high school friends can still say "they'll believe it when they see it" considering my first marriage didn't last very long. All for a reason. I had great gifts and learning from that if you can believe it, and I wouldn't change a thing. The sum of all my choice and all my experiences make me who I am today, and I'm feeling really good about that. I hope everyone challenges themselves to change the things that they are not happy with, and know that they deserve exactly what they wish for and are worth going for it. I think I've built a life out of that.

I'm going to keep this short. I will be on my tours again for the next several days. But keep tuned. I intend to get the rest of my pictures of my travels on my blog so everyone can be on the full journey with me.

Lots of Love... Rejeanne

More Ayers Rock

2008-05-24T01:14:00.000-07:00

Camping outside

2008-05-24T01:05:00.000-07:00

I slept under the stars a few nights.

sunrise at Ayers rock

More sunsets

2008-05-24T00:46:00.000-07:00

Tour Group - Ayers Rock

2008-05-24T00:10:00.000-07:00

Ayers Rock - Uluru

2008-05-23T23:53:00.001-07:00

Literally picking wood for our fire tonight
Odd place for a cow
Mt. Conner
Ayers Rock

Sunsets

2008-05-23T23:41:00.001-07:00

Onward and Northwards

2008-05-23T23:16:00.001-07:00

More Church pictures

Opal Mine

Onward

2008-05-23T20:30:00.001-07:00

It's a long bus ride looking at this.
2nd largest bird of prey

cooper peedy - where they live underground, cause it's not so damn hot under there. Hottest they've had is 63 degrees
An underground Catholic Church

Sea Salt Lakes

2008-05-23T20:09:00.000-07:00

A little place we stayed. population 5

2008-05-16T19:06:00.001-07:00

More pictures of Australia

2008-05-16T18:54:00.000-07:00

Wild Emu

Wild Kangaroo

Outback pictures

2008-05-16T18:43:00.001-07:00

first night of camping. Tasted camel, emu, kangaroo

Great wall of China

I lost my pictures

2008-05-16T18:08:00.000-07:00

Outback landscape - a dead river. The river's in the outback have no water in them, but you can tell that they are a river because that is where you will find a stream of trees. It is very cool. The dead trees you are looking at are from a river where the stream has been cut off.
These are all over the place. They are abandoned home streads from the 1800's. Apparently the aboriginals and the white folk were'nt getting along. At least that was one reason. Personally the weather would have been a bit much for me handle.
Yourambulla Caves - Aboriginal site

So here's the great news. I accidentally reformatted my memory card and lost 1.2 gigs of pictures.
Serious bummer.
I'm glad that I have been updating my blog because at least I have some. I am missing all of my first tour which includes the Great Ocean road, some beatiful hikes and waterfalls we've seen. I had also taken a helicopter ride over the 12 appolstles. Mostly I am bummed about the Janolen Caves, because there were some really beautiful pictures there, and I won't be able to have someone else send me a few pictures because I was on my own.

The tours have been interesting. Mostly people of age 20. Biggest concern is where do we party next. Mine is where can I have my relaxing coffee and enjoy the atmosphere. Rather than oblivion myself away from it. oh well to each there own.
the part that is most disappointment is that we see so many sites so fast that I don't have a chance to really breath them in and enjoy them. but I do like the fact that I am seeing all these places. I have booked my next flights and my next tours. I'm going to head over to Perth and do a 7 day tour there and then fly back to the east coast and wonder down the east coast to find myself home on a flight on the 18th of June. I'm going to fly directly into Edmonton and backrow for the Mastery. so I am super excited about that. There are several things that I want to participate in when I get back and I have also decided to spend a month at home with my parents. So my traveling is not finished but it certainly is closer to home.
I have decided that doing this every year for about three months would be a great idea. I already have my next two travel paths picked out, but I'll see what actually comes up next January or this fall for that matter. But I do think it will be nice to really enjoy a summer at home.
The other bummer about the tours is that I am not spending any time with actual Aussies. Which is not what I wanted. This morning I had a great conversation with a couple that are travelling there own country. I really enjoyed this morning. A native was playing jazz on the street, and I was having a great conversation with new friends. I'm kind of disappointed I didn't ask them if I could spend the day with them, but this is my only chance to catch up on updating my blog, and as it turns out it is a good memorial for myself more than anything. I do hope you all are enjoying what is here.
I'm going to add some pictures and some diary entries.

Talstra Dome and my Belgian Hot Milk Chocolate

2008-05-04T18:19:00.000-07:00

Melbourne - May 4

2008-05-04T17:53:00.001-07:00

Began my day at Patsy's bother in laws and tried Vegemite. Can't say it was good, but the way they put it on their toast I could hardly taste it.
Then Patsy and I were off to get me situated at Base Backpackers. Co-ed rooms which I wasn't prepared for so I moved to the ladies only area.
Once there we headed down town. What a fabulous place. I like it here better than Sydney.
Patsy never should have left me. I began to shop and shop and shop. I've really been enjoying it on my trip. It may be because when I travel its the only time I allow myself to buy things for me. How much fun has the last six weeks been.
So by recommendation I just completed my first footy game. It was pretty cool. There were some die hard fans sitting beside me, so that was kind of fun.
I tried there all famous meat pie. I have to be honest. I didn't find it all that spectacular. Mom's stewed meat in a pasty would far surpass my Melbourne experience. Maybe I grew up with too good a cook.
and now I am having Belgian Hot Chocolate. I was going to come back down town tomorrow because Patsy mentioned this place to me. I didn't realize there was more than one shop.
As I was walking away from the Telsta Dome I saw a Starbucks and thought it would be nice to sit for a while until the crowds are gone. But then I thought Starbucks is boring . I can have that at home. so I walked into this Chocolate shop next door. Goody for me. It is the place Patsy recommended. So I am having a real Belgian Milk chocolate - Hot.
I don't need a big cup of this to hit the chocolate button.
This guy across from me is eating this chocolate heap of something. one bite looks like more than I can handle.
How blessed am I.
look at all the firsts I've done today. I can't help but have fun and be excited about what is next.
I do have to say, Melbourne feels a lot like home to me.
My God that was yummy!

On to Melbourne - May 3

2008-05-04T17:37:00.000-07:00

I am now waiting in the airport for my flight to leave to Melbourne. Joemar brought me to the airport and I want to do my best to take this time to reflect on the gifts I received here and especially from him because of my intention.
Is he one of the good, honorable and integral men of this world? Absolutely.
What he taught me was tenderness. It was so great for me to stay open to the experience of it and not put any judgements or shouldn't around it, but to be open to receive his kindness without any attachment to it. How did his kindness show up on my journey? By being very taken care of. I was provided with a cell which made some of my organizing around Melbourne and my tour much easier. Paid for train tickets, taxi rides, dinners. Breakfast made for me, feet rubs and a hand held walk on the beach. I'm sure there are more ways that I was taken care of but those are on the top of my head. It was a great trip to Sydney and my intention to be well taken care of was fulfilled. Thank you Joemar. I am blessed.
At times I felt myself wanting to shut him out because I didn't want him to get more attached to me than he was. But this was actually closing myself off as well, which is never my intent.
Remembering to always stay open and allow, he said to me I am just telling the truth. And I thought "WOW". I am totally about telling the truth, but how open have I been to receiving others truth. when it involves me, am I able to receive it? When he said that, it was clear to me to keep my heart open and allow him to have his experience with me. He was here to teach me as well, and so he did. It is one thing to stay out of ego and tell my own truth, and it is totally another to stay out of ego and listen to anothers truth. If this is uncomfortable for me to do so , than it is perfect because they are reaching an area of me that can use some expansion and growth.
Another thing I loved that he said was that I can't even see you. I asked him to clarify. He said its like I only see you're shadow. You are way a head of me and I can't see you. I thought this was quite brilliant as I think there are many people that walk in and out of our lives and truly all we are ever see is their shadow, or some angle of them.
Time to board.
I am filled with excitement again as I board another plane and am ready for more discovery.

The Jenolan Caves

2008-05-03T03:01:00.000-07:00

The Aquarium and Wild Life Centre

2008-05-03T02:42:00.001-07:00

The Bondi Beach in Sydney

2008-05-03T01:33:00.000-07:00

Day 2 Tess's birthday party.

2008-05-03T01:18:00.001-07:00

This felt like a night with old friends. It was like we had known eachother for years.

First day in Sydney Australia

2008-05-03T01:04:00.001-07:00

April 30th I climbed this bridge and stood at the very top where the flags are. It was very cool. They don't allow you to bring up your camera's or anything for safety to the cars below, but I can say the view of the Opera house is pretty incredible.

Last days in Hong Kong

2008-05-03T00:52:00.000-07:00

May 2

2008-05-02T04:51:00.000-07:00

Wow, it's May.
Wheeeeeee
I'm having a good time. Although I do have moments when some company would be nice. Especially on nice walks like on the beach or today in the Blue Mountains.

Today I was up at the Blue Mountain and yesterday at Jenolan Caves. They were both nice and the weather was good too. I have to think about what I'm saying since the truth is I was wearing mittens, but I mean it was clear so that I could see the mountains. I wouldn't say its sun tanning weather. I finally broke down and bought myself some good warm cloths. I hear it's colder in the middle of Australia and that is where I am heading next.

Tomorrow I am flying down to Melbourne to meet a friend of my oldest brother and wife from their year stay here a few years ago. I met them last summer as they came to stay at my house. I'm looking forward to the friendly hello. Which I have had lots, but there is something to be said about the friendly hellos from people we already know.
On Tuesday I am off on my tour for 3 weeks. So I don't know how much contact I will have during that time. I'll do my best to make at least small entries along the way if there is time.

Quick story,
The natives here are black and generally have long afro like hair, with big bellies. At least these are the ones sitting in places playing the Digery Doo. Not sure if I spelled that correct. Anyway, this guy is up at the Blue Mountains playing, and I was sitting beside him for a while healing my head ache. I woke up super dizzy this morning. Not sure why but after the music I felt much better. So this lady comes up to him and is asking questions. Lots of tourists are taking pictures and listening. She askes him what the white paint is for. He has white clay all over his body and in his hair and on his face. If I ever get the picture up you'll see it. My battery went dead on my journey so I had to buy a disposable camera. So as I was saying she askes him what the white paint is for. He replies.... I felt like I needed a bit of color.
I giggled and giggled. She never did get a different answer.

Day two in Australia

2008-04-27T01:00:00.000-07:00

Well day two was as great as day 1. I didn't have to run anywhere, and they were planning a birthday party at the house. There was a ton of food and it was so good. I was totally glutenous. I hadn't eaten all day and then was super hungry. It was so good.
We sang, as the Filipino's do sing Karaoke for many hours. Many, many hours. But I have to say I had fun.
When that was all over we went out for a little dancing. It was a lot of fun and really nice. Considering I just met these people the day before, it seemed we had been friends for years.
The evening even ended with a little good night kiss.
I did have to talk them out of driving to Melbourne for their famous Meat Pies. Considering I was full to the throat anyway. The last thing I wanted to do was eat some more. And besides I will be heading towards Melbourne at some point.
No tickets booked to any new locations. This feels like a good place to hang for a bit, and their are lots of tours for me to get connected with things to see in Australia.

Last nights Insight: I have wasted a lot of time thinking about what a great relationship "could" be like and have missed out on the fabulous moments right in front of me.