's Blog Posts
Listening to the Didgeridoo
As promised, I’ll begin this blog with an account of our fabulous night with the Tjapukai aboriginal people. Now, none of us could have anticipated the delight and awkwardness that would come as a result of our experience at Tjapukai by Night, and I’m sure it was better left a surprise. When we arrived, we [...]
Koalas in Cairns
Following our stay in the paradise that is Long Island, we boarded the bus for one final long journey, this time to Cairns, a destination with such a relaxed beach culture that it seems more like a town than the large city it is. As it is my final day in Cairns (and thus my [...]
Kangaroos in Australia
From Fraser Island, we continued onward to a wee city called Rockhampton. More than anything, we were passing the night there in transit; so, that meant we had the chance to just relax, talk, do laundry, and get a good night’s sleep! But, the more daring (or dare I say geologically curious) of the group [...]
Byron Bay, Australia
Our next stop along the way was Byron Bay, the coolest surf town in the universe. I’ve seriously never been in another place so welcoming and chilled out. I know I speak on behalf of my fellow travelers when I say that Byron Bay is an essential stop when traveling the Land Down Under! Upon [...]
Sydney Fun
Well, folks – it’s that time: time for my last tour of the World Traveler Internship. And it’s true – that’s a huge bummer. (I’m sorry…did you just say school starts in less than 3 weeks? I’ll ignore that comment, thank you.) However, I’m thrilled that my final country of exploration has been so exciting [...]
Last Day in Thailand
Waking to the sound of roosters and “Tea or coffee, Rachel?” as offered by a fellow traveler, I gathered my things and enjoyed breakfast on the porch. Then, we all made our way down to the river for a wonderful bamboo-rafting adventure! Somehow, our three-hour ride flew past with unimaginable speed, the time filled with [...]
Exploring Thailand
On morning two, we met in the hotel lobby packed and ready to board our safari vehicle and head into the mountains. We made a short jaunt to a local open-air market outside the city to taste crazy-looking and delicious tropical fruits (green oranges; star fruit with the neon pink and green scaly exterior and [...]
Visiting Thailand
Dear Family, I’m terribly sorry to break the news this way, but I don’t know how else to tell you: I’m never coming home. I know you’ve provided everything I’ve ever needed in life, but Thailand beckons me with a call that I cannot (and do not wish to) break. Thus, I shall remain here [...]
Temples in China
I am happy, dirty, and bronzed by the sun. What a wonderful life this is! While the first few days at the conservation center provided some rather serious heat (read: sweet farmer’s tans and unladylike sweating for me), the last couple have cooled off and brought a bit of refreshing rain. I’ve been working with [...]
Feeding Pandas in China
The morning after the fountain show in Xi’an, it was well-wishing and hugs to the rest of the tour group and volunteers as I made my way to the mountains with an enthusiastic young English volunteer named Hayley. A tour employee named Tony drove with us, which proved invaluable as we got oriented in the [...]