The Beginning

Two perspectives on the first week of our Pacific Discovery trip up the East Coast of Australia, from Sydney to Cairns;

After arriving in Sydney and being greeted by our instructors, our journey began as quickly as a leaf being carried away by the wind. Starting off in the city was a nice introduction to Australian culture. Next, the Blue Mountains won our hearts over and showed us the rural side to Australia. Being in the mountains reminded me of a chilly winter back home in Chicago. It was magical. Repelling into canyons and abseiling down cliffs forced us to break boundaries and push through our comfort zones. It helped us to lean on one another for support and start friendships off with a wicked, one of a kind, experience.

Sam

As I made my way through the wackiest security I have ever been through I felt nervous, but meeting my instructors upon arrival reassured me. The first day in Sydney was a bit awkward because we were all strangers in a foreign place. As we played ice breaker games and began to peel away our shells we realized we all had the same goal; to learn about ourselves and all the beauty of Australia. It didn't take long before we all felt like a family. As we left Sydney and headed towards the Blue Mountains we really started to learn a lot about each other, our strengths our weaknesses and the support we would all need for the adventures to come. The hostel in Katoomba was so cozy, complete with a fireplace and a winter cabin feeling. We had to motivate and trust each other as we repelled down cliffs and worked our way up to abseiling through a canyon! So far the trip has been full of challenges, growth, and new memories.

Hope

We have moved further north, seeking warmer sun and big waves. Jack wrote a poem on the beach at Crescent Head watching a blood moon rise. You can read that in the next edition of the East Coast Chronicles!